Devices, Systems And Methods For Conserving Resources By Treating Liquids With Electromagnetic Fields

ABSTRACT

Resources, such as water, energy, power, amount of de-scaling chemicals, device lifetimes, data analytics and system depreciation may be conserved through the use of dual-field electric and magnetic probes that create and apply electromagnetic fields to liquids, such as water.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to, and claims the benefit of priority from,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/821,604 filed Aug. 7, 2015, (“'604application”), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/820,550 filed Aug. 6,2015 (“'550 application”), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/624,552filed Feb. 17, 2015 (“'552 application”), U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/170,546 filed Jan. 31, 2014 (“'546 application”) and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/759,345 filed Jan. 31, 2013 (“'345application”). The present application incorporates by reference hereinthe entire disclosures of the '604, '550, '552, '546 and '345applications, including their text and drawings, as if set forth intheir entirety herein.

INTRODUCTION

Devices and methods that use electromagnetic fields and energy to purifyor alter the characteristics of water are known. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,326,446, issued to Binger on Jul. 5, 1994, (“Binger”) appears todisclose methods and devices for purifying water of mineral impuritiesand biological contaminants (e.g., bacteria, protozoa, algae and fungi).The devices and methods of Binger appear to employ a steady-stateelectromagnetic field capable of treating ionic (mineral) impurities, alow frequency electromagnetic field for handling biological contaminantsand a radio frequency electromagnetic field for handling biologicalcontaminants and breaking up scale formations.

It is desirable to provide devices, systems and methods for treatingliquids that overcome the limitations and disadvantages of conventionaldevices, systems and methods. More specifically, it is desirable toprovide devices, systems and methods for conserving resources throughthe application of electromagnetic fields to liquids, such as water.

SUMMARY

Devices, systems and related methods for conserving resources bytreating liquids with electromagnetic fields are provided. The devices,systems and methods disclosed herein are particularly applicable totreating liquids, such as water, in a water transport system.

According to one embodiment, exemplary systems for conserving resourcesby treating a liquid that contains unwanted material may comprise ameasurement system, the system comprising: a control system (e.g., amicrocontroller) operable to receive data representative of one or moreresources of a transport system or reference system affected bytreatment of unwanted material in a liquid; and a dual-field probe fortreating the unwanted material comprising an immersible magnetic fieldsection operable to generate a time-varying magnetic field and aninduced electric field, and an immersible electric field sectionoperable to generate a time-varying electric field, and an inducedmagnetic field.

The one or more resources that may be conserved using an embodiment ofthe measurement system may comprise one or more of the following: waterusage, energy, power, amount of de-scaling chemicals, device lifetimes,data analytics or system depreciation.

Control systems provided by the present invention may be furtheroperable to complete one or more of the following functions or processsteps individually or as part of a series of functions/process steps:(i) compare received data to stored, reference data, wherein the storedreference data may comprise historical data related to resourcesassociated with a transport or reference system; (ii) compute anindication of the difference between an amount of resources currentlybeing used by a transport or reference system based on received data andthe amount of resources previously used by a transport or referencesystem based on historical data; (iii) compute an indication of thedifference between device lifetimes of components that are a part of atransport or reference system based on received data and previouslifetimes of components used in a transport or reference system based onhistorical data; (iv) compute an indication of the difference between anamount of resources currently being used by a transport or referencesystem based on received data and a threshold amount of resources; (v)compute a savings in resources, return on investment or extendedlifetimes; (vi) store computed savings in a memory; (vii) compute arepayment amount; (viii) compute a repayment amount by applying apercentage factor to a computed difference; (ix) compute a repaymentamount by applying a monetary amount to each unit or part thereof of acomputed difference and then applying a percentage factor or amultiplication factor, wherein the computed difference may beproportional to an amount of treated unwanted material in a liquid thatis treated by an inventive probe, such as a dual-field probe, forexample.

In alternative embodiments the measurement system may further compriseimpedance matching circuitry operable to (1) maintain an impedance of aprobe, a signal generator and a transmission medium connecting the probeand generator at a matched impedance, and (2) maintain a constantamplitude of an electric field created by an electric field section ofthe probe and a constant amplitude of an magnetic field created by amagnetic field section of the probe.

The unwanted materials treated by the inventive probes may be one ofmany, including, but not limited to: ions of calcium carbonate (e.g.,forming scale), a corrosive material or biofilm, for example.

In still additional embodiments, the measurement system may furthercomprise a signal generator operable to output an oscillating or uniformtime-varying signal modulated at an ionic cyclotron frequency. Inembodiments of the invention, the signal generator may comprise anintegrated signal generator and may be further operable to generate oradjust a carrier frequency, percentage of modulation, modulationfrequency, modulation waveform, output gain or offset levels of thetime-varying signal.

In addition to the components described above, measurement systemsprovided by the present invention may further comprise a graphical userinterface (GUI) for displaying one or more, or a combination, of thefollowing: a fouling resistance, conductivity, power consumption,turbidity, corrosion, pH, alkalinity, and temperatures of the liquid andpump speeds, fan speeds, flow rates, biofouling, saturation index, orhold/cold temperature differentials of components of a transport systemused to treat the liquid.

In addition to the types of measurement systems and related methodsdescribed above, the present invention also provides for measurementsystems that comprise: (a) a control system operable to receive datarepresentative of one or more resources of a transport system orreference system affected by treatment of unwanted material in a liquid,and compute an indication of the difference between an amount ofresources currently being used by the transport system or the referencesystem based and the amount of resources; and (b) at least twoimmersible axial coils and at least two immersible radial coilsconfigured in a Helmholtz coil arrangement and operable to generate andapply a magnetic field that includes a modulation signal correspondingto an ionic cyclotron frequency of the unwanted material to treat theunwanted material in the liquid.

It should be understood that the present invention also provides relatedmethods or processes that comprise steps that parallel the functions ofthe measurement system described above and herein. For the sake ofclarity, the inventors will not repeat such steps herein.

Additional devices, systems, related methods, features and advantages ofthe invention will become clear to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing showing an exemplary water transportsystem according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of the electrical water transportsystem device shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2B depicts one view of a device for treating liquids according toone embodiment.

FIG. 2C depicts a second view of the device shown in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2D depicts a third view of the device shown in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2E depicts one view of an alternative device for treating liquidsaccording to another embodiment.

FIG. 2F depicts a second view of the device shown in FIG. 2E.

FIG. 2G depicts a third view of the device shown in FIG. 2E.

FIG. 2H depicts yet another device for treating liquids according to anadditional embodiment.

FIGS. 2I trough 2N depict simplified electrical circuit diagrams andassociated, simplified electromagnetic generator connection diagramsthat may utilize the device shown in FIG. 2H.

FIGS. 2OJ and 2P depict additional views of the device shown in FIG. 2H.

FIG. 2Q depicts still another device for treating liquids according toan additional embodiment.

FIGS. 2R and 2S depict simplified electrical circuit diagrams for thedevice shown in FIG. 2Q.

FIG. 2T depicts a representation of how forces created by theapplication of electromagnetic fields may be computed.

FIGS. 2U and 2V depict views of the internal structure of a magneticfield probe or probe section according to embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict an exemplary, experimental water transport systemaccording to embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 3C through 3F depict an electromagnetic waveform generatoraccording to an embodiment.

FIGS. 3G through 3N depict an integrated device according to embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 4A depicts a block diagram of a smart probe control systemaccording to one embodiment.

FIGS. 4B and 4C depict exemplary displays that may be generated anddisplayed in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of a cooling tower system in accordancewith one embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts another probe that may be used to detect and determineunwanted material according to an embodiment of the invention.

To the extent that any of the figures or text included herein depicts ordescribes dimensional information (e.g., inches) it should be understoodthat such information is merely exemplary to aid the reader inunderstanding the embodiments described herein. It should be understood,therefore, that other dimensions may be used to construct the inventivedevices, systems and components described herein and their equivalentswithout departing from the scope of the inventions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of devices, systems and related methods forconserving resources by treating liquids with electromagnetic fields aredescribed herein and are shown by way of example in the drawings.Throughout the following description and drawings, like referencenumbers/characters refer to like elements.

It should be understood that, although specific exemplary embodimentsare discussed herein, there is no intent to limit the scope of thepresent invention to such embodiments. To the contrary, it should beunderstood that the exemplary embodiments discussed herein are forillustrative purposes, and that modified and alternative embodiments maybe implemented without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

It should also be noted that one or more exemplary embodiments may bedescribed as a process or method. Although a process/method may bedescribed as sequential, it should be understood that such aprocess/method may be performed in parallel, concurrently orsimultaneously. In addition, the order of each step within aprocess/method may be re-arranged. A process/method may be terminatedwhen completed, and may also include additional steps not included in adescription of the process/method.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singularforms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural form,unless the context and/or common sense indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “embodiment” refers to an example of thepresent invention.

As used herein the phrase “unwanted material” includes all types ofmaterial, in dissolved or undissolved form which degrades or otherwisedetracts from a desired quality of a liquid, such as water. Anon-limiting list of unwanted material includes, but is not limited to:scale, microbes, corrosive minerals, and contaminants of all kinds.

As used herein the phrases “treat”, “treating,” “treatment” and othertenses of the word treat mean the reduction, removal, minimization,dissolution and elimination of unwanted material and the prevention ofsuch unwanted material. Further the phrases “treating a liquid” and“treating unwanted material” and their other tenses may be usedsynonymously herein to describe the treatment of a liquid that containsunwanted material.

The phrase “liquid” means any known fluid that may be typically involvedin, but not limited to, cooling and heating processes, energyexploration, or the transport of elements, for example. One non-limitingexample of a fluid is water, where by “water” is meant, but is notlimited to, non-potable water, potable water and water that contains acombination of natural and man-made chemicals and minerals.

As used herein the phrase “probe” means one of the inventive devicesdescribed herein that may be used to treat a liquid that containsunwanted material.

It should be understood that when the description herein describes theuse of a “microcontroller”, “controller”, “computing device” or“computer” that such a device includes stored, specialized instructionsfor completing associated, described features and functions. Suchinstructions may be stored in onboard memory or in separate memorydevices. Such instructions are designed to integrate specializedfunctions and features into the controllers, microcontrollers, computingdevices, or computer that are used to complete inventive functions,methods and processes related to treating a liquid that containsunwanted material by controlling one or more inventive systems ordevices/components used in such a treatment.

It should be understood that the phrase “integrated” means one or morecomponents that are constructed substantially as one unitary devicewhere, generally speaking, the components are connected using shortconductors or connectors, are placed on one or more adjacent printedcircuit boards or the like that are themselves connected or are formedas a one or more miniaturized integrated circuits.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary water transport system 1, according to anembodiment. The system 1 may include a pipe systems 2,4, a coolingdevice (e.g., chiller) 10, a heating device (e.g., boiler or waterheater) 20 and water usage devices 30, 40. While the system 1 is shownas a single loop, it should be understood that an actual water transportsystem may include more than one loop, and further, such loops may be acombination of an open loop and closed loop system. Nonetheless, tosimplify the following explanation the system 1 shown in FIG. 1 willsuffice. The pipe systems 2,4 supply water to, and interconnect, thecooling device 10, the heating device 20 and the usage devices 30, 40.Each of the usage devices 30, 40 can be any type of device or appliancethat uses water from the pipe systems 2,4. It should be understood thatthe system 1 is merely one example of a water transport system. That isto say that although the system 1 is shown as having a single coolingdevice 10, a single heating device 20 and two usage devices 30, 40, thesystem 1 may include many different numbers, types and combinations ofdevices 10, 20, 30 and 40.

Still referencing FIG. 1, the system 1 includes an electromagnetic watertreatment system 100 having a main unit or power unit 102 and a probe160 comprising oppositely charged elements configured with respect toone another to reduce fringing effects (described in more detail below).The probe 160 may be connected to the main unit 102 by an electricallyconductive cable 150. The probe 160 can be inserted in-line with a pipe4 a or other component of the pipe systems 2,4 by a fixture 6 so thatelements of the probe are immersed in the water passing through the pipe4 a. It should be understood that it is possible to provide additionalwater treatment systems 100. For example, larger water transportsystems, or systems with multiple locations that are likely to promotethe growth of unwanted materials, such as scale, may benefit from havingmultiple water treatment systems 100 (e.g., data centers, industrial andcommercial buildings and complexes, large residential buildings andcomplexes, petrochemical complexes, and hospitals/medical centers).

Generally stated, and as described later in more detail, the watertreatment system 100 can apply one or more electromagnetic output fieldsto the water in the water transport system 1 via the probe 160. With theproper application of electromagnetic field(s), the water treatmentsystem 100 can effectively treat water that includes unwanted materialsin the water transport system 1. As will be described later in moredetail, the system 100 can generate a wide variety of electromagneticfields depending upon the particular application and existing waterconditions. Adjustments can be made to the system 100 to utilize asteady-state electromagnetic field, a high, low or medium frequencyelectromagnetic output field, a combination of multiple high frequency,low frequency, and/or medium frequency electromagnetic fields. Forexample, carrier frequencies in the following frequency bands may beused by any of the inventive systems, devices and methods describedherein: 1 to 2 MHz, 5 to 6 MHz, 13 to 14 MHz, 27 to 28 MHz, 40 to 41MHz, 433 to 435 MHz and 902 to 928 MHz to name just a few exemplaryranges. Further, in one embodiment, 40.68 MHz may be used as a defaultcarrier frequency. Electromagnetic fields that have various wave shapes(e.g., sine, triangular, square, saw tooth or pulse) may also be used byany of the inventive systems, devices and methods described herein.Additionally, the electromagnetic fields generated by the system 100(and any inventive system, device and method described herein) can beadaptively varied in frequency, voltage, current and/or waveform shape(e.g., amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM)) based onconditions of the water in the water transport system 1.

FIG. 2A shows an exemplary embodiment of a water treatment system 100.As shown in FIG. 2A, the main unit 102 includes power supply 104, adigital control section 110, a digital/analog selector section 120 andan output section 130. The power supply 104 can be connected to an ACinput voltage and supplies power to the digital control section 110, thedigital/analog selector section 120 and the output section 130. Thepower supply 104, the digital control section 110, the digital/analogselector section 120 and the output section 130 can be mounted orcontained in a housing or casing 103.

Still referencing FIG. 2A, the digital control section 110 may include acontrol device or microcontroller 112 connected to the power supply 104,an electromagnetic waveform generator 114 (“generator”) and a user inputdevice or user interface 116 with an optional touch screen, for example.The generator 114 may be controlled by the microcontroller 112 and canbe an integrated circuit configured to generate digital input signals115 of various waveforms (e.g., sine, triangular, square, saw tooth andpulse waveforms, AM modulation, FM modulation) that may be input to thedigital/analog selector section 120. The microcontroller 112 interfaceswith the user interface 116, which can accept user inputs indicatingdesired characteristics of the electromagnetic field(s) 166 output bythe system 100. The microcontroller 112 may operate the generator 114based on information input to the user interface 116. Thecharacteristics (e.g., modulation, voltage, current, frequency andwaveform shape) of the digital input signals 115 vary based on the userinputs indicating the desired characteristics of the electromagneticfield 166. Additionally, the user interface 116 can display waveformsettings and feedback information from connected sensors 164 and controlmotors, motor controllers and other devices (not shown in FIG. 2A) usedto operate the system 100.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the digital/analog selector section 120 includes anamplifier/buffer 122 and a digital relay/selector 124. Theamplifier/buffer 122 may be connected to the microcontroller 112 and thegenerator 114. The digital relay/selector 124 may be connected to themicrocontroller 112 and may be connected at its input side to the outputof the amplifier/buffer 122. The amplifier/buffer 122 may be powered bythe power supply 104, and may be operable to receive the digital inputsignals 115 from the generator 114 and amplify the digital input signals115 to generate digital driver signals 123. The gain of theamplifier/buffer 122, and, therefore, the amplitude of the digitaldriver signals 123 may be controlled by the microcontroller 112 based onthe desired characteristics of the electromagnetic field 166. Theamplifier/buffer 122 may be selectively connectable to an input side ofthe digital relay/selector 124 such that the digital driver signals 123can be forwarded from the amplifier/buffer 122 to the digitalrelay/selector 124.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 2A, the output section 130 may includean output amplifier or output transformer 132 powered by the powersupply 104, a feedback filter device 134 configured to receive feedbacksignals 133 from a primary winding 132 a of the output transformer 132and selectively connectable to the input side of the digitalrelay/selector 124, and a switcher (e.g., bipolar junction transistor)136 connected to an output side of the digital relay/selector 124 andthe input side of the transformer 132.

As indicated above, the microcontroller 112 may be programmed withspecialized instructions such that, in a default, digital, operationalmode of the system 100, the amplifier/buffer 122 may be connected to theinput side of the digital relay/selector 124 and the feedback filterdevice 134 may be disconnected from the input side of the digitalrelay/selector 124. Thus, the microcontroller 112 and generator 114 mayoperate to digitally drive the output transformer 132 with the digitaldriver signals 123. In comparison to analog driver signals, the digitaldriver signals 123 typically provide much greater control over thecharacteristics of the electromagnetic field 166 generated by the system100. More specifically, driving the output transformer 132 with thedigital driver signals 123 typically provides greater options withrespect to controlling the modulation, frequency, voltage, current andwaveform shape of the electromagnetic field 166.

In the digital operational mode, the digital driver signals 123 may besent to the switcher 136 through the digital relay/selector 124. Theswitcher 136 modifies the digital driver signals 123 to generateswitcher signals 139 and then supplies the switcher signals 139 to theinput side of the output transformer 132. The secondary winding 132 b ofthe output transformer 132 then generates output signals 140 based onthe digital driver signals 123 and delivers the output signals 140 tothe probe 160 through the cable 150, for example.

Referring still to FIG. 2A, in a backup (analog) or failsafe operationalmode, upon receiving signals from the microcontroller 112 theamplifier/buffer 122 may be disconnected from the input side of thedigital relay/selector 124 and the feedback filter device 134 may beconnected to the input side of the digital relay/selector 124. Using,stored, specialized instructions the backup or failsafe operational modemay be initialized by the microcontroller 112 upon detection of afailure of the digital control section 110 by the microcontroller 112and other components of the system 100, or the backup or failsafeoperational mode can be manually selected by a user through the userinterface 116.

In the backup or failsafe mode, the primary winding 132 a of the outputtransformer 132 and the feedback filter device 134 operate to drive thesecondary winding 132 b of the output transformer 132 with analog driversignals 138. More specifically, the feedback filter device 134filters/modifies the feedback signals 133 to generate the analog driversignals 138. The analog driver signals 138 may be fed to the switcher136 via the digital relay/selector 124. The switcher 136 modifies theanalog driver signals 138 to generate switcher signals 139. The switchersignals 139 may be supplied to the input side of the output transformer132. Thus, a feedback loop may be formed by the output transformer 132,the feedback filter device 134, the digital relay/selector 124 and theswitcher 136. These components function as a feedback oscillator tooperate the system 100 in an analog mode. The secondary winding 132 b ofthe output transformer 132 generates output signals 140 based on theanalog driver signals 138 and delivers the output signals 140 to theprobe 160 through the cable 150, for example. When the system 100 isoperated in this analog mode, the possible ranges and types ofmodulation, frequency, voltage, current and waveform shapes may belimited in comparison to the digital mode. In the analog mode, theelectromagnetic output fields 166 can be controlled by analog controls(not shown) or, alternatively, by signals from the microcontroller 112,where such signals may be based on stored, specialized instructionsformulated and integrated into the microcontroller 112 and optionallyinput into the microcontroller 112 via the user interface 116, forexample.

Still referencing FIG. 2A, the elements of the probe 160 that are usedto generate electromagnetic fields can be water-immersible membersincluding a high voltage/high current delivery element 162. The deliveryelement 162 can be constructed of any electrically conductive material,however, it is preferable that the delivery element 162 be constructedof a corrosion-resistant material such as stainless steel, aluminum orgraphite, for example. The delivery element 162 may be configured toreceive the output signals 140 and generate the electromagnetic fields166 based on the output signals 140. The electromagnetic fields 166 canbe suitable for treating a liquid in the water transport system 1 thatcontains unwanted material (FIG. 1).

The probe 160 can optionally include one or more feedback sensors 164.The feedback sensors 164 may be connected to the microcontroller 112 andcontrolled by stored, specialized instructions. For example, the sensors164 can be controlled such that they can be calibrated by themicrocontroller 112, and/or provide the microcontroller 112 withfeedback information related to water conditions. By way of example, thefeedback sensors 164 may be selected from among one or more of thefollowing types of sensors: a total dissolved solids (TDS)/conductivitysensor, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor and a pH sensor, toname just a few types of sensors. These sensors may be configured toprovide the microcontroller 112 feedback information (e.g., data in theform of real world signals) regarding a total dissolved solidslevel/conductivity of the water, a flow rate of the water, a temperatureof the water and a pH of the water, respectively, for example. Based onsuch information from the sensors 164, the microcontroller 112 maycontrol components of system 100 to adjust the characteristics (e.g.,modulation, voltage, frequency, current and/or waveform shape) of theoutput electromagnetic fields 166. The system 100 and fields 166 can bevaried adaptively (automatically by the microcontroller 112 based onpre-programmed settings) or manually by a user in order to treat liquidsin the water transport system 1 that contain unwanted materials (FIG.1).

In embodiments in which the probe 160 does not include sensors 164, thesensors can be provided separately and used in a similar manner to setand maintain optimal electromagnetic fields for the system 100.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the generator 114 may be a highvoltage, current driven generator operable to generate sine, square, ortriangular waveforms, for example, in the 1 to 10 KHz range. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 2A, neither the generator 114 nor the probe 160necessarily has a matching impedance (e.g., 50 ohms), though suchgenerators and probes are within the scope of the present invention andare described elsewhere herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 2B through 2D there are depicted views of adevice 160 b according to embodiments of the invention. As shown, thedevice 160 b may comprise immersible elements 1610 a,1610 b that may beconfigured with respect to one another to reduce fringing effects. Inmore detail, device 160 b may comprise: an immersible, positiveconductive element 1610 a; an immersible, negative conductive element1610 b separated from the first conductive element 1610 a by anadjustable distance, d₁; means for supplying and/or applying anelectrical signal 1630 a,1630 b, such as a power unit and electricalwires, having a first polarity to the positive conductive element 1610 aand an electrical signal having a second, opposite polarity to thenegative conductive element 1610 b to create an electromagnetic fieldbetween the first and second elements 1610 a,1610 b to treat a liquidwithin the electromagnetic field that contains unwanted materials. Thedevice may further include means for moving 1640 a,1640 b the positiveand negative conductive elements 1610 a,1610 b to adjust the adjustabledistance d₁, (such as a control system that includes a servo-motor oranother controllable motor along with a motor controller), in order to,for example, change a resonant frequency that optimizes the treatment ofa liquid (such as mineralized water) within the electromagnetic fieldthat contains unwanted materials 1650, such as scale. It should beunderstood that the unwanted material 1650 depicted in the figures isnot shown to scale. That is, it has been enlarged for illustrativepurposes. In many cases the unwanted material is microscopic and cannotbe seen by the naked eye. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 2Bthrough 2D the elements 1610 a,1610 b may comprise plates that may beconfigured with respect to one another to reduce fringing effects, andmay be enclosed by a treatment chamber 1670. The chamber 1670 may beoperable to surround the immersible elements 1610 a,1610 b, and comprisefirst and second openings 1680 a,1680 b connected to input and outputsupply lines 1690 a,1690 b (e.g., pipes) that operate to supply a liquid1660, such as mineralized water, into the chamber 1670 (via line 1690 a,for example) and operate to allow such a liquid to exit the chamber 1670(via line 1690 b, for example). In one embodiment the chamber 1670 maybe a chamber having the dimensions of 3 inches in length, 3 inches inwidth and 5 inches in height while the openings 1680 a,1680 b andassociated lines 1690 a,1690 b may have a diameter of ½ inch.

The probe 160 b may comprise a support structure 1700 that providessupport for, and encloses, immersible components 1610 a through 1690 b,for example. The support structure 1700 may be made from a Delrinmaterial, for example.

As depicted the first and second immersible elements 1610 a, 1610 b maycomprise respective, substantially parallel plates that may beconfigured with respect to one another to reduce fringing effects. Forexample, in an embodiment of the invention, the surface area of therespective plates 1610 a, 1610 b are not the same in order to reduce theeffects of fringing. Fringing refers to the portion of anelectromagnetic field that is not located between the two elements butinstead extends outside of the area between the elements. For example,that portion which surrounds the perimeter or edge of each element.Because this field is outside of the area between the two elements it isnot usually involved in the treatment of unwanted materials (e.g.,scale) from liquid that flows between the two elements.

In accordance with one embodiment, to reduce the effects of fringing,or, said another way, to focus more of the electromagnetic field to thearea between the two elements 1610 a,1610 b, the elements 1610 a,1610 bmay be configured as different sized or shaped elements with respect toone another. That is, different sized or shaped elements may be used.The different sized or shaped elements affect the shape of the resultingelectromagnetic field such that more of the field is located in the areabetween the two elements 1610 a, 1610 b than outside the area.

For example, the ratio of the surface area of the positive element 1610a to the surface area of the negative element 1610 b may be in the range0.75 to 0.90. That is to say the surface area of the positive element1610 a may be only 75% to 90% of the surface area of the negativeelement 1610 b (i.e., the positive element is smaller than the negativeelement). In an embodiment of the invention, the different surface areasof the elements 1610 a, 1610 b reduces the effects of fringing. Itshould be noted that although the elements 1610 a,1610 b in FIGS. 2B and2C are depicted as if they are of equal size (e.g., length) and surfacearea this is not the case. Rather, the sizes and surface areas of thetwo elements 1610 a,1610 b differ in order to achieve a reduction infringing effects described herein.

Continuing, as depicted the elements 1610 a,1610 b may beperpendicularly attached to the means for moving 1640 a,1640 b the firstor second conductive elements 1610 a,1610 b. In one example means 1640a, 1640 b may comprise a control system (microcontroller, etc.,) and, inaddition, horizontally aligned rods attached to a suitable servo-motoror other motor, and a motor control system (e.g., programmablecontroller; not shown for clarity). The rods may be made from stainlesssteel, for example. In one example, the dimensions of each rod may be ½inch in diameter, and 6 inches in length. In an embodiment, the rods maybe compression fitted on each side of the chamber 1670.

Referring more specifically now to FIG. 2C, in one example, mineralwater 1660 may traverse a path through the treatment chamber 1670. Forexample, water 1660 may be input into the chamber 1670 from supply line1690 a located at the bottom of the chamber 1670. Once within chamber1670, the water 1660 may flow between immersible elements 1610 a, 1610 band then be output from supply line 1690 b at the top of the chamber1670. The configurations depicted in FIGS. 2B-D permit a sufficientamount of water to flow through the chamber 1670 in order to treat asufficient amount of unwanted material (e.g., scale), such as calciumcarbonate.

In one exemplary operation for treating unwanted materials (e.g., scale)from the liquid 160 (e.g., water), an electrical current having a firstpolarity may be applied by means 1630 a to the first element 1610 a andan electrical current having a second, opposite polarity may be appliedby means 1630 b to the second element 1610 b. Means 1630 a,1630 b may,for example, comprise a power unit (e.g., generator), associatedelectrical wiring and other components well known in the art. Uponapplication of the electrical currents a resulting electromagnetic fieldis created within the chamber 1670. In an embodiment of the invention,the field lines of the electromagnetic field traverse the water 1660within the chamber 1670 between the elements 1610 a,1610 b. As describedherein, the application of the electromagnetic field to the water 1660reduces the amount of unwanted material (e.g., scale) 1650 in the water1660. Upon application of the electrical current the elements 1610a,1610 b may function as a capacitor whose capacitance is dependent onthe distance d₁ between the elements and the dielectric constant of themineralized water or other liquid 1660 within chamber 1670. In moredetail, the distance, d1, between the plates determines a certaincapacitance that is a function of the sum product of the liquid'spermittivity and the plate area divided by d1. As a result, varying thesize of d1 will change the resulting capacitance. The inductance of theplates and the resultant capacitance from varying the size of d1 (i.e.,tuning) creates a series resonant circuit, in which the resonantfrequency is proportional to the reciprocal of the sum of 2 times πtimes the sum of the square root of the resultant capacitance and theinductance of elements 1610 a, 1610 b.

In sum, changing the effective distance d1 between elements 1610 a,1610b changes the resonance frequency of the parallel plate capacitor formedby the elements 1610 a,1610 b while the electrical currents are applied,as well as changing the flow rate of a liquid passing between theelements 1610 a,1610 b and resulting impedance.

It should be understood that the distance d1 may be selected based on anumber of factors. For example, given the fact the distance d1 betweenelements 1610 a, 1610 b traverses a volume of liquid flowing in thechamber 1670, d1 should be selected such that an intended or flow rateof a water transport system is met. That is to say, a given watertransport system typically requires water (or another liquid) to flow ata particular rate. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,when an inventive probe, such as probe 160 b, is connected to such awater transport system the particular flow rate should be maintained.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, using the ionic cyclotronfrequency (e.g., including fundamental frequencies and their harmonics)of a given mineral or element present in a liquid, such as water, mayalso aid in the treatment of a liquid that contains unwanted material.For example, a frequency set to the ionic cyclotron frequency of amineral such as (e.g., calcium) may cause the mineral to remain in adissolved form, and thus prevent the mineral (e.g., calcium) fromforming scale in the form of a solid or particulate (e.g., calciumcarbonate) in a liquid. Accordingly, in embodiments of the invention themodulation frequency applied to the carrier frequency output by agenerator described herein may be varied to match a particular mineral'sionic cyclotron frequency. The resulting variably modulated signal fromthe generator may be applied to the probe 160 b as well as other probesdescribed herein via means 1630 a,b, for example, to produce anelectromagnetic field that is similarly modulated to target a particularmineral by applying a field component (i.e., modulated frequency) thatcorresponds to the particular mineral's ionic cyclotron frequency.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2B through 2D, the impedance of probe160 b is not necessarily fixed (e.g., to 50 Ohms) but may vary based onthe chemistry of the liquid it is immersed in, or in contact with.Further, the impedance of the probe 160 b is not necessarily matched toa generator (e.g., 50 Ohms). That said, a probe with a substantiallyfixed impedance (e.g., 50 Ohms that is matched to a generator is withinthe scope of the present invention. For example, such a probe isdescribed with respect to FIGS. 2E through 4, for example.

FIGS. 2E through 2G depict views of an alternative device 260 thatutilizes immersible and coaxially aligned, cylindrical structures aselements instead of plates according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2E through 2G, device 260 may comprise a probe, wherethe probe comprises a cylindrical housing 264 made of 303-stainlesssteel material, for example. Shown inside the housing 264 is: ahorizontally aligned non-conducting cylindrical tube 265 made of Delrinmaterial, for example; an immersible, horizontally aligned stainlesssteel cylindrical tube 262 made of 303-stainless steel material, forexample, hereafter referred to as the positive element; an immersible,horizontally aligned stainless steel cylindrical rod 261 made of303-stainless steel material, for example, referred to hereafter as thenegative element; and two threaded end-caps 266 a,b made of303-stainless steel material, for example, for connecting the housing264 to two pipes made of 0.750 inch stainless steel (not shown) forinputting and outputting a liquid, such as mineralized water into, andout of, the housing 264. As shown immersible elements 261, 262 arecoaxially aligned with one another. Elements 261, 262 may be configuredwith respect to one another to reduce fringing effects.

In exemplary embodiments, some typical dimensions of the componentsdescribed above are:

housing 264: 3.25 inches in diameter, 12 inches in length, having a wallor thickness of 0.125 inches;

cylindrical tube 265: 2.0 inches in diameter, 0.25 inch wall thicknessand 12 inches in length;

cylindrical tube 262: 1.5 inches in diameter, 0.125 inch wall thickness,and 10 inches in length;

cylindrical rod 261: 0.5 inch in diameter, and 8 inches in length; and

threaded end-caps 266: each 5.0 inches by 5.0 inches by 0.750 incheswith threads for 0.750-inch-thick stainless steel pipes.

Two compression fittings 270, 271 may be electrically connected to thepositive and negative elements 261,262. The other ends of thecompression fittings 270, 271 function as electrical terminals forconnecting the probe 260 to a terminal block 267. The annulus spacingbetween the elements 261,262 forms a treatment chamber 269.

In an embodiment, the elements 261,262 may form a cylindrically shaped,coaxial capacitor whose capacitance depends on the annulus spacingbetween the elements 261,262 and the dielectric constant of the liquid(e.g., mineralized water) flowing in the probe 260. Changing theeffective annulus spacing of the elements changes the resonancefrequency of the probe when electrically stimulated. In an exemplaryembodiment, this annulus spacing may be 2 inches, for example.

As described before, tuning the probe 260 to a resonant frequency orapplying a modulation frequency to the probe 260 that corresponds to anionic cyclotron frequency of a given mineral or element present in aliquid, such as water, may also aid in the treatment of a liquid thatcontains unwanted material.

In accordance with one embodiment, to reduce the effects of fringing theelements 261,262 may be configured with respect to one another to reducesuch effects. Said another way, two different sized elements 261, 262are used. The different sized elements affect the shape of the resultingelectromagnetic field such that more of the field is located in the areabetween the two elements 261, 262 than outside the area.

For example, the ratio of the length of the positive element 261 to thelength of the negative element 262 may be in the range 0.75 to 0.90, forexample. That is to say the length of the positive element 261 may beonly 75% to 90% of the length of the negative element 262 (i.e., thepositive element is shorter than the negative element). In an embodimentof the invention, the different lengths of the elements 261,262 reducesthe effects of fringing.

In an embodiment of the invention, probe 260 may have an impedance of 50Ohms that is impedance matched to a generator, such as generator 600depicted in FIGS. 3C through 3F or other generators described herein.Impedance matching may be completed through the use of an impedancematching control system, such as the smart probe control system 400depicted in FIG. 4A.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, to use the system 100, the system 100 may beconnected to an AC power source and a probe (e.g., 160, 160 b, 260 oranother probe described herein) can be inserted in-line with a pipe(e.g., pipe 4 a in FIG. 1) or other component of a water transportsystem using a fixture (e.g., fixture 6 in FIG. 1 or the structuresdescribed in FIGS. 2B through 2G) such that the elements of the probethat are used to generate electromagnetic fields are immersed in, ordirectly contact, liquid (e.g., water) from the pipe. It may bepreferable to insert the probe at or near a location that is susceptibleto the formation or accumulation of unwanted material (e.g., scale,microbes, etc.,). Once the probe is installed in the water transportsystem, desired characteristics of the electromagnetic field(s) 166 canbe input via the user interface 116, for example. The main unit 102 anda probe can be operated to generate the electromagnetic field(s) 166 andapply the field(s) to the water such that existing unwanted material inthe water transport system are treated.

When either probe 160 or 260 is connected to the unit 102, the probe 160or 260 may be configured to receive output signals from unit 102 (e.g.,from generator 114) and then generate the electromagnetic fields thatare applied to treat a liquid that contains unwanted material. In theseembodiments, the electromagnetic field generated by the probe 160, 260will comprise a dominant electric field. In additional embodimentsdescribed herein, the present inventors provide probes that generate anelectromagnetic field comprising a dominant magnetic field, and probesthat combine both dominant electric and magnetic fields.

Regardless of the type of probe, in embodiments of the invention, thesignal provided by the unit 102 and supplied to the probe 160 or 260 (orother probes described herein) may include a variable modulationfrequency that corresponds to the ionic cyclotron frequency of amineral, such as calcium. Thereafter, the electric field created by aprobe, such as 160 or 260, and applied to the liquid passing throughprobe 160 or 260 may be similarly modulated.

The system 100 can be operated substantially continuously orintermittently as required to achieve desired water treatment goals. Asindicated above, based on feedback information from sensors 164 orsimilar sensors within the water transport system, the characteristicsof the output electromagnetic fields 166 can be adaptively variedautomatically by the microcontroller 112 based on pre-programmed, storedspecialized instructions and settings, or manually by a user in order tooptimize the treatment of a liquid that contains unwanted material.

In general, it is believed that electromagnetic fields will prevent thebuildup of unwanted material, such as scale deposits directly oninventive probes described herein. It is also believed thatelectromagnetic fields break up unwanted materials (e.g., scale) thathave accumulated within a conduit or container, and such fields willeventually remove such unwanted materials so that the unwanted materialmay be silted out or otherwise removed in the form of a fine powder.

It is further believed that electromagnetic fields also contribute tosterilizing and decontaminating liquids (e.g., water) containingmicrobial contaminants (e.g., bacteria, amoeba, protozoa, algae, fungus,etc.). It is believed that a fast rising spike (i.e., quickly risinghigh amplitude waves) in the electromagnetic signal (as opposed tomerely the implementation of low amplitude radio frequency waves) may becritical to biological contaminant purification. This spike appears toact as a shock to the bacteria, amoeba, protozoa, etc., within the waterand breaks down their protective mechanisms.

It is believed that, when the system 100 is used primarily as asteady-state high voltage generator, as in descaling applications, thepreferred voltage output may be generally between 2,000 and 5,000 volts.It is believed, however, that the system 100 can function with asteady-state field as low as 1,000 volts and as high 10,000 volts.

When the power unit 102 is used as a combination steady-state highvoltage generator and a high negative ion generator, it is believed thatthe preferred output voltage may be generally between 3,500 and 5,000volts steady-state field. When the power unit 102 is used strictly as anegative ion generator, it is believed that the preferred output voltagemay be 1,500 to 3,000 volts steady-state field with a resultant negativeion output of approximately 100 to 2,000 volts.

When the system 100 is used to control bacteria, ameba, protozoa, algae,fungus, etc., pulse rate frequencies of the electromagnetic field(s) 166can be set to coincide with generally accepted frequencies that controlparticular types of organisms. For example, the control frequency for E.Coli bacteria is generally known to be 802 Hz. The voltage output onsuch frequencies can preferably be between 2,000 and 5,000 volts.

Referring now to FIG. 2H there is depicted yet another embodiment of adevice 2600 for treating unwanted material in a liquid usingelectromagnetic fields. In particular, the device depicted in FIG. 2Hmay include water-immersible members, and an integrated broadbandelectromagnetic generator and smart probe system 2650. The device 2600may include a magnetic field probe comprising one or more immersibleelements, such as axial coils 2610 a, 2610 b and one or more radialcoils 2620 a, 2620 b that are operable to create an electromagneticfield having a dominant magnetic field component to treat the liquid(e.g., water) that passes through the device 2600 when the device 2600is installed in a water transport system, for example. Together theimmersible coils 2610 a, 2610 b and 2620 a, 2620 b form a probe 2601. Inan embodiment each one of the radial coils 2620 a, 2620 b is paired witha different one of the axial coils 2610 a, 2610 b to form a pair ofelectrodes. As depicted in FIG. 2H the electrodes may be connected usingcompression fitting electrode connectors 2640 a, 2640 b and 2640 c.

In an embodiment the probe 2601 may comprise an inner hollow structure(e.g., copper pipe with inner wall 2602) that forms a pathway and anouter stainless steel covering (e.g., shell) that surrounds the hollowstructure in order to shield the inner pathway from corrosive materialsin the liquid, for example.

As indicated, the device 2600 is shown including an integrated generatorand smart probe section 2650 (e.g., impedance matching circuitry) thatis described elsewhere herein, it being understood that the device 2600may also be used with a separate generator and smart probe system.

Probe 2601 is depicted as a so-called Helmholtz “coil” or coilconfiguration. That is, in accordance with embodiments of the inventionthe axial coils 2610 a,b and radial coils 2620 a,b may be configured ina Helmholtz coil configuration. As may be known to those skilled in theart, the total magnetic field from the radial coils 2620 a,b is the sumof the magnetic fields from both radial coils 2620 a,b. Correspondingly,the total magnetic field from the axial coils 2610 a,b is the sum of themagnetic fields from both axial coils 2610 a,b.

In embodiments of the invention, the probe's 2601 total magnetic field,B_(Tot), is the sum of the magnetic field of the radial and axial coils,namely, B_(Tot)=B_(Radial)+B_(Axial) at a point (x), where (x) ismeasured from the midpoint of the separation distance between theprobe's 2601 radial coils 2620 a,b and axial coils 2610 a,b coils. Moreparticularly, the total magnetic field B_(Tot) may be derived from thefollowing relationships:

B _(Tot) =B _(Radial) +B _(Axial)=(μ_(o) NIr ²)/([d/2−x] ² +r²)^(3/2)+(μ_(o) NIr ²)/([d/2+x] ² +r ²)^(3/2)

In embodiments of the invention, probe 2601 magnetic field (B) isuniform where (x)=0. If the electrical current is (I), the number ofcoil turns is (N) and (μ_(o)) is the permeability of the stainless steelcoils, then the magnetic field of the probe 2601 (and any dominantmagnetic field section of a probe, discussed further below) can bedetermined from the relationship:

B=(8μ_(o) NI)/√125r

With continued reference to FIG. 2H, in embodiments of the invention theradius, r_(a), of each of the axial coils 2610 a,b are equal, and thedistance between each axial coil is equal to the radius, r_(a), of anaxial coil. In addition, the radius, r_(r), of each of the radial coils2620 a,b are equal, and the distance between each radial coil is equalto the radius of a radial coil.

In embodiments of the invention, the radial and axial coils may bespaced away from an inner wall 2602 of the device 2600 to minimizeattenuation of the magnetic field created by the coils.

FIG. 2I depicts an exemplary, simplified electrical diagram of device2600. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2I, the immersible coils 2610a,b and 2620 a,b are connected to a broadband electromagnetic generator2660. The generator 2660 may be operable to generate signals atfrequencies between 10 kHz and 100 MHz, for example.

In more detail, the coils may be connected to a particular port of thegenerator 2660 which we will refer to as “port B”, it being understoodthat this designation is arbitrary and the inventors could use anynumber of different designations. As connected in FIG. 2I the generator2660 may be operable to output and supply a uniform, time-varying signal2661 a to the axial and radial coils 2610 a,b and 2620 a,b,respectively, to enable the coils 2610 a,b and 2620 a,b making up probe2601 to produce a uniform, time-varying-magnetic field that, whenapplied to a liquid by the coils 2610 a,b and 2620 a,b treats unwantedmaterial in the liquid (e.g., prevents and or mitigates scale (CaC0₃)).As indicated elsewhere herein, and reiterated here, the signal 2661 aoutput by the generator 2660 and supplied to the coils 2610 a,b and 2620a,b via electrical conductors, for example, may include a variablemodulation frequency that corresponds to the ionic cyclotron frequencyof calcium, for example. Thereafter, the magnetic field created by coils2610 a,b and applied to the liquid passing through probe 2601 may besimilarly modulated.

FIG. 2J depicts a simplified, exemplary diagram depicting the connectionof another exemplary probe 4601 to the signal generator 2660 inaccordance with the electrical circuit diagram of FIG. 2I. Though theprobe 4601 depicted in FIG. 2J is a dual-field probe (discussed furtherbelow) that comprises both a magnetic field dominant probe section 4601a and an electric field dominant probe section 4601 b, the magneticfield section 4601 a includes immersible elements similar to probe 2601.Accordingly, we shall refer to FIG. 2J to illustrate how the probe 2601(or any magnetic field probe or probe section described herein) may beconnected to, and operate in conjunction with, the signal generator2660.

Continuing, the generator 2660 may be connected to the magnetic fielddominant probe section 4601 a or probe 2601 (as described with referenceto FIG. 2I) via electrical conductors 2700, for example.

As connected, the generator 2660 is operable to provide a uniformtime-varying signal 2661 a to section 4601 a or probe 2601 and itsimmersible elements (e.g., Helmholtz coils). When so connected andprovided, the section 4601 a or probe 2601 may be operable to produce auniform, time-varying-magnetic field that, when applied to a liquid,such as water, passing through the probe 4601 or 2601 treats unwantedmaterial in the water. As indicated elsewhere herein, and reiteratedhere, the signal 2661 a provided by the generator 2660 may include avariable modulation frequency that corresponds to the ionic cyclotronfrequency of calcium, for example. Accordingly, the magnetic fieldcreated by section 4601 a or probe 2601 and applied to the liquidpassing through probe 4601 or 2601 may be similarly modulated.

FIG. 2J also includes a depiction of the connection of the generator2660 to the electric field dominant probe section 4601 b via electricalconductors 2700, for example, in order to provide signal 2661 b tosection 4601 b and its associated immersible elements. Section 4601 bmay be similar in structure and operation to probe 260 or anotherelectric field probe described elsewhere herein in that it is operableto create and apply a dominant electric field to a liquid passingthrough probe 4601.

Referring now to FIG. 2K there is depicted another exemplary, simplifiedelectrical diagram of device 2600 (or a magnetic field dominant probesection). In accordance with embodiments of the invention the immersibleaxial coils 2610 a,b and radial coils 2620 a,b may again be configuredin a Helmholtz coil configuration, and connected to the broadbandelectromagnetic generator 2660. However, the coils 2610 a,b and 2620 a,bin FIG. 2K are connected to the generator 2660 differently than thecoils in FIG. 2I.

In more detail, the axial coils 2610 a,b may be connected to port B ofthe generator 2660 while coils 2620 a,b may be connected to a differentport, designated as port C, of the generator 2660. As connected in FIG.2K the generator 2660 may be operable to output time-varying signals2662 a,b that are out of phase with one another, where signal 2662 a isoutput via port B and signal 2662 b is output via port C. In oneembodiment, signals 2662 a and 2662 b may be 180 degrees out of phasewith one another. Such out-of-phase signals, when applied to the coils2610 a,b and 2620 a,b of probe 2601 (or a magnetic field dominant probesection) may enable the coils 2610 a,b and 2620 a,b making up probe 2601to produce an oscillating, time-varying-magnetic field that, whenapplied to a liquid such as water, treats unwanted material in thewater. The signals 2662 a,b provided by the generator 2660 and suppliedto the coils 2610 a,b and 2620 a,b may include a variable modulationfrequency that corresponds to the ionic cyclotron frequency of calcium,for example. Accordingly, the magnetic field created by coils 2610 a,band 2620 a,b and applied to the liquid passing through probe 2601 may besimilarly modulated.

FIG. 2L depicts a simplified, exemplary diagram depicting the connectionof an exemplary dual-field probe 4601 to the signal generator 2660.Again, though the probe 4601 depicted in FIG. 2L is a dual-field probe(discussed further below) that comprises both a magnetic field dominantprobe section 4601 a and an electric field dominant probe section 4601b, the magnetic field section 4601 a includes immersible elementssimilar to probe 2601. Accordingly, we shall refer to FIG. 2L toillustrate how the probe 2601 (or any magnetic field probe or probesection) may be alternatively connected to the signal generator 2660.

Continuing, the generator 2660 may be connected to the magnetic fielddominant probe section 4601 a or probe 2601 in accordance with theelectrical circuit diagram of FIG. 2K via electrical conductors 2700,for example. As shown, the generator 2660 may be connected to themagnetic field dominant probe section 4601 a or probe 2601 in order tosupply oscillating, time-varying signals 2662 a,b to section 4601 a orprobe 2601 and their associated, respective, immersible coils. When soconnected and provided, the section 4601 a or probe 2601 may be operableto produce an oscillating, time-varying-magnetic field that, whenapplied to a liquid such as water, treats unwanted material in thewater. As indicated elsewhere herein, and reiterated here, the signals2662 a,b provided by the generator 2660 may include a variablemodulation frequency that corresponds to the ionic cyclotron frequencyof calcium, for example. Accordingly, the magnetic field created by theprobe 4601 or 2601 (i.e., by their immersible coils) and applied to theliquid passing through probe 4601 or 2601 may be similarly modulated.

Referring now to FIG. 2M there is depicted yet another exemplary,simplified electrical diagram of device 2600 (or a magnetic fielddominant probe section 4601 a). In accordance with embodiments of theinvention the immersible axial coils 2610 a,b and radial coils 2620 a,bmay again be configured in a Helmholtz coil configuration, and connectedto the broadband electromagnetic generator 2660. However, the coils 2610a,b and 2620 a,b in FIG. 2M are connected to the generator 2660differently than the coils in FIGS. 2I and 2K.

In more detail, the axial coils 2610 a,b may be connected to port B ofthe generator (or port C) while coils 2620 a,b may be connected to adifferent port, designated as port D, of the generator 2660. Asconnected in FIG. 2M the generator 2660 may be operable to output signal2663 a via port B and signal 2663 b via port D, for example. In oneembodiment, signal 2663 a is a time-varying signal while signal 2663 bmay be a steady-state signal (non-time varying, e.g., direct current),for example.

Such signals, when supplied to the immersible coils 2610 a,b and 2620a,b of probe 2601 (or a magnetic field dominant probe section 4601 a)may enable the coils 2610 a,b and 2620 a,b making up probe 2601 toproduce both a time-varying-magnetic field and steady-state magneticfield that, when applied to a liquid such as water, treats unwantedmaterial in the water. The signal 2663 a provided by the generator 2660and supplied to the coils may include a variable modulation frequencythat corresponds to the ionic cyclotron frequency of calcium, forexample. Accordingly, a magnetic field created by coils and applied tothe liquid passing through probe 2601 may be similarly modulated.

FIG. 2N depicts a simplified, exemplary diagram depicting the connectionof an exemplary dual-field probe 4601 to the signal generator 2660. Onceagain, though the probe 4601 depicted in FIG. 2N is a dual-field probethat comprises both a magnetic field dominant probe section 4601 a andelectric field dominant probe section 4601 b, the magnetic field section4601 a includes immersible elements similar to probe 2601. Accordingly,we shall refer to FIG. 2N to illustrate how the probe 2601 (or anymagnetic field probe or probe section) may be alternatively connected tothe signal generator 2660.

As shown, the generator 2660 may be connected to the magnetic fielddominant probe section 4601 a or probe 2601 in accordance with theelectrical circuit diagram of FIG. 2M via electrical conductors 2700,for example, in order to supply both time-varying and steady-statesignals 2663 a,b to section 4601 a or probe 2601 and their associated,respective immersible coils. When so connected and provided, the section4601 a or probe 2601 may be operable to produce both time-varying andsteady-state magnetic fields that, when applied to a liquid such aswater, treats unwanted material in the water. As indicated elsewhereherein, and reiterated again here, the signals 2663 a,b provided by thegenerator 2660 may include a variable modulation frequency thatcorresponds to the ionic cyclotron frequency of calcium, for example.Thereafter, the magnetic field created by coils of the magnetic fieldsection 4601 a or probe 2601 and applied to the liquid passing throughprobe 4601 or 2601 may be similarly modulated.

FIGS. 2O and 2P depict additional views of the device 2600. Inparticular, FIG. 2P depicts a view taken along axis A-A of FIG. 2O. InFIG. 2P connectors 2640 a, 2640 b and 2640 c can be seen connectingcoils 2620 a, 2620 b and 2610 a, 2610 b, respectively.

It should be understood that probes 2601 and 4601 may be substituted fordevices 160, 160 b, 260 in FIGS. 2A through 2G. Accordingly, for thesake of brevity the inventors will not repeat the description of FIGS.2A through 2G, it being understood that such a description applies toprobes 2601 and 4601.

It should be understood that the probes and their associated immersibleelements or coils described herein, including but not limited to probes2601 and 4601, may be tuned to operate at a resonant frequency, and beoperable to receive modulated signals in order to generateelectromagnetic fields that are similarly modulated using modulationfrequencies that correspond to an ionic cyclotron frequency (e.g.,fundamental frequencies and their harmonics) of a given mineral orelement (e.g., calcium carbonate) present in a liquid, such as water.

FIGS. 2U and 2V depict an exemplary internal structure of a magneticfield probe or probe section according to embodiments of the invention.As depicted in FIG. 2U, radial and axial coils may be secured to ahousing by three components: exterior ABS pipes (two pieces, left andright), interior ABS pipes two pieces, top and bottom), and a pluralityof ABS pipe spacers (e.g., six).

In accordance with one embodiment an exterior ABS pipe may be threadedon the inside, where the radial coil sits in the probe housing. It actsas a fitting that restricts movement as well as electrically isolatingthe coil from a stainless steel pipe. The exterior ABS pipe may beperforated to limit the effect on the flow rate of a liquid. Two Delrinfittings, secured around the stainless steel pipe with two O-rings eachon the inlet and the outlet, keep the exterior ABS pipe from movinginside the stainless steel pipe.

The interior ABS pipe holds the axial coils in the center of the pipe aswell as isolating the axial coils from the radial coils. The interiorABS pipe may be formed as a clamshell that fits around the axialcoil(s). Six ABS pipe spacers, three near the inlet, and three near theoutlet may be operable to keep the axial coils, and interior ABS pipehoisted in the center of the pipe. Three pegs lock into the exterior ABSpipe and two pegs lock into the interior ABS pipe, allowing the spacersto restrict horizontal movement of the interior pipe as a result offlowing liquid. The interior ABS pipe may also be perforated to limitthe effect on the flow rate of the liquid (e.g., makeup water) throughthe probe.

FIG. 2V depicts an exploded view of the internal structure of themagnetic probe or probe section in FIG. 2U.

Experimental Setup—FIGS. 3A & 3B

The inventors understand that every liquid supply system is potentiallydifferent and may, therefore, require variations in system settings andtreatment methods to optimize the treatment of a liquid that containsdifferent types of unwanted material. In particular, the presentinventors understand that the physical and chemical properties of aliquid, such as water, will likely vary from one supply system to thenext, and such properties can impact the effectiveness of various typesof electromagnetic fields in treating the liquid. For example, themineral content, flow rate, temperature and pH of a liquid (e.g., water)in a system may affect the types and amount of scale and microbes thatare likely to form in the liquid. Accordingly, the mineral content, flowrate, temperature and pH of water may at least partially dictate thecharacteristics of electromagnetic fields that will be effective intreating the water. Furthermore, as the mineral content of water varies,the conductivity and capacitance of the water may vary. Yet further, theconductivity and probe size (i.e., larger probe diameter or smallerprobe diameter) affects the impedance of the overall system.

Yet further, the conductivity of the mineral content of the water inconjunction with the dimension of the probe's cavity (i.e., volume ofwater that flows between elements, coils and dimensions of the probe,feeding pipe system) causes the impedance to change, and, in turn causechanges to the modulation frequency required to effectively treat thewater as described in more detail herein.

In order to develop an understanding of the optimum electromagneticfields that may be useful in a variety of different applications, theinventors have developed experimental liquid (e.g., water) transportsystems, such as system 300 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The experimentalsystem 300 simulates a typical real world, water transport system thatmay be used to grow or foster the formation of unwanted material, suchas scale and accumulated microbial agents. It is believed that bymeasuring the characteristics (e.g., mineral content, flow rate,temperature and pH) of water in the system 300 over time, testingvarious types of electromagnetic fields applied to the water and testingvarious methods of supplying and applying electromagnetic output fieldsto the water, optimum electromagnetic fields for a given water transportsystem may be identified. Water treatment data, among other data,obtained through testing of the experimental system 300 can be used toprescribe user input settings for a liquid transport system under avariety of conditions, as well as develop adaptive (automatic) andspecialized treatment protocols and related instructions that may beintegrated into (e.g., programmed into) microcontrollers describedherein, such as microcontroller 112 (FIG. 2A), microcontroller 621 (FIG.3C), microcontroller 422 (FIG. 4A), and controllers used as a part ofapparatus 4000 (FIG. 4A), for example.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the exemplary, experimental liquid (water) supplysystem 300 includes two loops, namely a hot loop 304B and a cold loop313. A hot liquid tank 305A contains a volume of propylene glycol(anti-freeze) 305B that is circulated throughout the hot loop 304B. Thehot loop 304B includes a copper pipe 304 beginning at an inlet end 304Cin contact with the propylene glycol 305B in the hot liquid tank 305A,and terminating at outlet end 304D in contact with the propylene glycol305B in the hot liquid tank 305A. The propylene glycol 305B iscirculated through the copper piping 325 by a pump 304A such that thepropylene glycol 305B flows through the removable copper pipe 301A ofheat exchanger 301, exits the hot liquid tank 305A into the inlet end304C and returns to the hot liquid tank 305A from the outlet end 304D.Hot liquid tank 305A contains two heating elements 308A and 308Bcontrolled by a programmable, differential temperature controller 307 toraise and control the temperature of propylene glycol between 70 degreescentigrade and 120 degrees centigrade. The hot loop piping 304B containsone thermocouple 302A installed before ABS plastic end-cap 327A, and asecond thermocouple 302B installed after ABS end-cap 327B. Thethermocouples 302A, 302B may be used to measure the temperature of thepropylene glycol 305B entering and exiting the heat exchanger 301.Additionally, an electronic shut-on/off valve 303A may be installedafter the inlet 304C of hot liquid tank 305A to turn on or off thepropylene glycol.

The heat exchanger 301 comprising a quartz tube 328, removable copperpipe 301A, and ABS plastic end-caps 327A and 327B may be configured suchthat an annulus spacing 301B exists between the removable copper pipe301A and the quartz tube 328. The ABS end-caps 327A and 327B may bedesigned to maintain the annulus spacing 301B and to form a path formake-up water 315B to flow through the heat exchanger 301 whilepropylene glycol 305B flows through the removable copper pipe 301A thatis an integral part of the hot loop 304B. The heat exchanger 301contains a flow correction baffle 311, whose purpose is to reduceturbulence in the annulus spacing 301B as make-up water 315B transversesthe annulus spacing 301B of the heat exchanger 301.

An independent cold loop 313 may comprise PVC piping, a cold loop pump313A to circulate the make-up water through the cold loop piping, anultrasonic sensor 309A to monitor the make-up water flow-rate, and acooling tower probe 310, where the make-up water can be treated toreduce unwanted material, such as calcium carbonate deposits, on theremovable copper pipe. The probe 310 may be a probe described hereinthat includes immersible elements or coils, such as probes 160, 160 b,260, 2601, 4601 for example and may be part of a “smart” probe controlsystem or part of an integrated device described elsewhere herein. Thecold loop piping carries make-up water from the outlet of the make-upwater tank 315 through the annulus spacing of the heat exchanger 301such that the make-up water flow direction is counter to the flowdirection of the propylene glycol flowing in the removable copper pipe301A within the heat exchanger 301. The cold loop piping also containstwo thermocouples 302C and 302D installed immediately before the coldpiping connects to the heat exchanger 301 and immediately after the heatexchanger 301 to measure make-up water temperature entering and exitingthe annulus spacing of the heat exchanger 301, respectively.

A small secondary mixing loop 329 exists within the cold loop pipingwith electronic shut-on/off valves to facilitate mixing of the make-upwater prior to the start of testing. At the start of any test, theelectronic shut-on/off valve 303C is closed and electronic shut-on/offvalve 303B is opened to facilitate the mixing of calcium chloride andsodium bicarbonate, necessary to produce calcium carbonate (scale) whichprecipitates out of mineralized water in cooling tower systems.

The make-up water tank 315 may be located between pump 313A, mixing loop329 and the electric chiller 324. All three sub-systems, namely themake-up water tank 315, mixing loop 329, and pump 313A may be connectedvia PVC piping 326 to the heat exchanger 301. An electric chiller coil320 connected to the electric chiller 324 may be provided within themake-up water tank 315 to maintain and control temperatures between 15degrees centigrade and 35 degrees centigrade.

A liquid treatment system comprising, for example, an inventive waveformgenerator 314 and an inventive probe 310 (i.e., one of the generatorsand probes described elsewhere herein) connected by a 50 Ohm coaxialtransmission cable 312 and impedance matched by an impedance matchingcontrol system, such as system 400 in FIG. 4A, may be used to treatliquid in the system 300 that contains unwanted material, such ascalcium carbonate (scale).

A computer or other computing device 323 may be connected through auniversal serial bus port, for example, to a port concentrator 322 tocollect data related to pH, conductivity, hot temperature in, hottemperature out, cold temperature in, cold temperature out, andflow-rate, for example. This data may be used to compute a foulingresistance (delta-T measurement) of calcium carbonate, for example, thatprecipitates out of the make-up water 315B and adheres to the removablecopper pipe 301A within the heat exchanger 30 (see FIGS. 4B and 4C, andrelated discussion).

A flow meter 309B and its ultrasonic sensor 309A may be located betweenthe probe 310 and thermocouple 302C. A TDS/conductivity meter 318 may bepositioned in make-up water tank 315 to measure the TDSlevels/conductivity of the make-up water 315B. A temperature-compensatedpH sensor or meter 316 may be positioned in the make-up water tank 315to measure the pH levels of the make-up water 315B.

An electric mixer 321 may be used to mix make-up water 315B prior to thestart of testing in order to stabilize the pH and conductivity of themake-up water. The electric mixer 321 may be switched off afterstabilization of pH and conductivity has been achieved.

Two heating elements 319A, 319B within the make-up water tank 315 may beused to raise the temperature of the make-up water during the mixingphase of calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate to aid in achievingfaster pH stability necessary to start a test.

It should be noted that the design of the heat exchanger, type of heatexchanger material, the amount of fouling resistance (e.g., scale) onthe removable copper pipe of the heat exchanger, and the characteristicsof the make-up water (conductivity, pH, temperature, etc.) may determinethe total overall heat exchanger coefficient. The fouling resistance maybe determined by measuring and calculating the heat transfer coefficientbetween the hot propylene glycol solution and the removable copper pipe301A (heat surface) of the heat exchanger 301, measuring and calculatingthe heat transfer coefficient between the heat exchanger 301 and themake-up water 315B, the thickness of the removable copper pipe 301A, andthe thermal conductivity of the removable copper pipe 301A.

In order to test the operation of devices 314 and 310 to treat liquidsin system 300 that contain unwanted materials, it is first necessary toestablish conditions that create such unwanted materials in the liquids,and then apply the inventive devices (e.g., devices 310 and 314),systems and methods described herein to such liquids. For example, as astarting test parameter, it is desirable to include or otherwise formabout 2000 parts per million (ppm) of calcium carbonate precipitate inthe make-up water 315B. Such an amount of calcium carbonate is typicallyfound in cooling tower make-up water and is thought to be conducive tothe growth of scale over time.

Once the amount of calcium carbonate (and associated, desired pH level)is obtained, it is believed that the make-up water 315B can becirculated through the system 300 for about 7 to 14 days with inventivedevices (probe and generator), such as devices 310 and 314, turned offin order to grow scale (calcium deposits). As the make-up water 315B iscirculated through the system 300 over the 7 to 14-day period, the pHlevel, flow rate and TDS level/conductivity of the make-up water can bemonitored. If unwanted material (e.g., scale) is growing in the system300, it is expected that the measured TDS levels and flow rates shoulddecline over time. To determine whether scale, for example, isaccumulating on the removable pipe 301A, the removable copper pipe 301Acan be visually inspected through the quartz tube 328, or it can also beremoved and visually inspected.

Further, once the growth of unwanted material, such as scale, has beenconfirmed the probe 310 may be operated to produce and apply varioustypes of electromagnetic fields described elsewhere herein inconjunction with generator 314 (and control system 400 in FIG. 4A) todetermine the optimum electromagnetic fields and application methods forremoving unwanted materials in the system 300. For example, similar tothe initial conditions described above, if the probe 310 is removingscale, the measured TDS levels and water flow rates should rise overtime. As before, the removable copper pipe 301A can also be removedand/or visually inspected through the quartz tubing 328 to confirm thatany existing scale build-up is being reduced.

Once test conditions for growing unwanted materials (e.g., scale) havebeen established, the system 300 can be initialized under similarconditions with the probe 310 and generator 314 activated and nounwanted material present. The system 300 may be run for 7 to 14 days,for example. If the system 300 is successfully treating unwantedmaterial (e.g., preventing the growth of unwanted material, such asscale) then the water TDS levels and flow rates measured over the 7 to14-day period should remain essentially constant, or should decline at aslower rate than they did in the initial 7 to 14-day period describedabove.

The experiments described above and herein may be repeated at variouswater pH levels, temperature, conductivity, flow rates and/or mineralcontent in combination with various types of electromagnetic fields andelectromagnetic field application methods in order to determine theoptimum protocols to treat a liquid that contains unwanted materials, inparticular scale, under various water conditions. In addition, variousprobe designs, materials and placements (i.e., the position in a watersystem where a probe is connected) can be tested to determine optimumprobe designs, materials and placements for the treatment of a liquidthat contains unwanted materials, in particular, scale. By way offurther example, the inventive systems described herein (including theexemplary experimental set-up) may be used to test the viability oftreating a liquid that contains unwanted material under variousconditions using various combinations and types of electromagneticfields, electromagnetic field application methods, probe designs,materials and/or probe positions.

Referring now to FIGS. 3C through 3F, there is depicted anelectromagnetic waveform generator 600 (“generator” for short) accordingto an embodiment of the invention. By way of example, and comparisonwith generator 114 in FIG. 2A, the generator 600 may have three RFoutputs ports 625-1, 625-2, 625-3 (A, B, and C), each having a powerrating of 500-1000 watts, and a DC output port 625-4 (port D). Outputports A, B and C may output signals having a frequency that falls withina frequency band of 1.8 MHz to 54 MHz (including a preferred frequencyof 40.68 MHz), include multiple types of modulated waveforms of 1 Hz to1000 Hz, and may be configured as a fixed output impedance (e.g.,50-ohm). The generator 600 may be impedance matched to an inventiveprobe 310 described herein utilizing a control system, such as system400 in FIG. 4A. Because the generator 600 may be impedance matched(i.e., its ports may be so matched) with an inventive probe it mayprovide optimum results as well as operate in a more energy (power)efficient manner than an unmatched generator and probe due to areduction in so-called “reflected energy” (power) described in moredetail below with respect to FIG. 4A. The generator 600, as well as theother components depicted in FIGS. 3A through 3F may be separated fromother inventive probes, or, alternatively, may be combined with severalprobes to form an integrated device such as those devices depicted inFIGS. 2H and 3G through 3L.

In one embodiment, to treat a liquid that contains unwanted material thegenerator 600 may output a 48 volt, direct current (DC) output levelfrom Port D (625-4) to generate a steady state electric field ormagnetic field, an AM or FM modulated carrier frequency of 40.68 MHz onoutput ports 625-1, 625-2, 625-3 (ports A, B and C, in which Port A andB may output signals that are in phase, and Port C may output a signalthat is 180 degrees out of phase when compared to Port B) for example,to an inventive probe 310 and associated immersible elements or coilsdescribed herein (e.g., probes 160, 160 b, 260, 2601, 4601, and 5600)via a 50-ohm coaxial transmission cable. The generator 600 may includean AC to DC power supply module 616, three RF power and preamplifiermodules 622-1, 622-2, 622-3, and 623-1, 623-2, 623-3, respectively,three detector directional couplers 624A-1, 624A-2, and 624A-1, threelow pass filters 624B-1, 624B-2, and 624B-3, an RF current samplermodule, a microcontroller 621 and a signal or waveform generating module(the words “module”, “circuitry”, “circuit” and “components” may be usedinterchangeably herein).

In an embodiment, the generator 600 may further comprise voltage/currentgeneration circuitry, thermal management circuitry, RF protectioncircuitry, a microcontroller, signal or waveform generation circuitry,and thermal protective components to name just a few of the majorcomponents.

The generator 600 may include additional circuitry or components but theadditional circuitry and components are known to those skilled in theart.

The AC to DC power supply module 616 may be operable to accept AC powerat an input 620. A metal oxide varistor (MOV) 619 may be connected inparallel between the phase and the neutral conductors to protect thegenerator 600 from electrical surges, voltage dips, variations, andbrownout conditions. To reduce conducted emissions produced by thegenerator 600 from AC power sources, electromagnetic interference (EMI)filter 618 may be operable to attenuate the conducted emissions tocomply with the Federal Communications Commission commercial regulatedClass A limits. The phase and neutral conductors from the EMI filter 618may be connected to the AC power supply 616. The AC power supply 616 maybe configured to accept 120-240 Volts (“V”) AC power and convert it to48V/45 Amps (“A”) DC power. The power supply 616 may be connected to anOn/Off switch in order to interrupt the supply of 48V DC power to theDC-to-DC circuitry 602 as needed.

The DC-to-DC circuitry 602 may be operable to generate 15V/1.5 A, 12 V/5A, 5V/1.5 A, −5V/1.5 A, 3.3V/0.5 A and 1.8V/0.5 A and supply suchvoltages and currents to power subsystem circuitry. The DC-to-DCcircuitry 602 may include a limiter operable to limit an “in rush”current from the power supply 616 at start-up to 6.7 A, and limit anoperating current to 45. A during normal operating conditions. Under andover-voltage circuitry may be operable to protect sensitive subsystemcomponents such as the RF pre-amplifiers 623-1, 623-2,623-3 and RFamplifiers 622-1, 622-2. 622-3 modules. The 48V and 15V power source maysupply power to the RF power amplifiers 622-1, 622-2, and 622-3 and RFpre-amplifiers 623-1, 623-2, 623-3 modules, respectively. The modules622-1, 622-2, 622-3, 623-1, 623-2, and 623-3 may be switched on and offwith an optoisolated switch 610 controlled by the DC-to-DC circuitry602.

The DC-to-DC circuitry 602 may also be connected to fan circuitry628A-1, 628A-2, 628A-3, 628B-1, 628B-2, 628B-3 where each circuitryincludes an amplifier and fan. The amplifiers receive signals fromcircuitry 609, for example, to control corresponding fans. Theamplifiers making up the fan circuitry 628A-1, 628A-2, 628A-3, 628B-1,628B-2, 628B-3 may be mounted, for example, on a heat sinks 627-1,627-2, 627-3, respectively. The fans making up the fan circuitry may beoperable to exhaust or otherwise remove heat emanating from the heatsinks 627-1, 627-2 and 627-3 and provide a high-temperature lockoutcondition signal to the microcontroller 621. The microcontroller 621 maybe operable to control the removal of, or disconnection of, electricalpower to the generator 600 in order to protect the generator 600 fromoverheating (thermal damage) upon receiving a high-temperature lockoutcondition signal. Thermal sensing may be provided by a 5 kΩ negativecoefficient thermistor (temperature sensor) that may be mounted on theheat sinks 627-1, 627-2, and 627-3. Comparators (not shown in thefigures) may be used as a part of monitoring circuitry to monitor thetemperature sensors 612-1, 612-2, and 612-3. The first comparator may beoperable to turn the fans a part of fan circuitry 628A-1, 628A-2, and628A-3, 628B-1, 628B-2, and 628B-3 “ON” whenever, for example, thetemperature of a sensor rises to approximately 110° F., and turn thefans a part of fan circuitry 628A-1, 628A-2, 628-3, 628B-1, 628B-2, and628B-3 “OFF” when the temperature of a sensor drops by approximately 5degrees. A resistor may be used to introduce a small difference intemperature in order to allow enough heat to be drawn away from the heatsinks 627-1, 627-2, and 627-3 so that the fans a part of fan circuitry628A-1,628A-2, 628 a-3, 628B-1, 628B-2, and 628B-3 will not stutter “ON”and “OFF” as heat stored in the core of the heat sinks 627-1, 627-2, and627-3 travels to the sensor mounted on the surface of the heat sinks627-1, 627-2, and 627-3. The microcontroller 621 may be operable tostore, or control the storage of, such temperatures.

The generator 600 may comprise three detector directional couplers624A-1, 624A-2, and 624A-1, low pass filters 624B-1, 624B-2, and 624B-3,and RF current sampler modules 624C-1, 624C-2, and 624C-3 where one ofeach is installed on a respective heat sink 627-1, 627-2, and 627-3.Three outputs, namely forward power, reflected power and RF current maybe conditioned or filtered by low pass filter circuitry 611 anddigitized upon input into an analog to digital converter input of themicrocontroller 621. As explained in more detail elsewhere herein, themicrocontroller 621 may be operable to compute a voltage standing waveratio (VSWR) and provide a VSWR lockout signal to (i) enable theamplifiers 623-1, 623-2, and 623-3 during startup, (ii) disable theamplifiers 623-1, 623-2, and 623-3 based on detection of a high VSWR, or(iii) disable the amplifiers 623-1, 623-2, and 623-3 during shut-down.The microcontroller 621 may be operable to provide a VSWR lockout signalupon detection of a 3 to 1 VSWR condition. The lockout signal may beused to prevent damage to the amplifiers 623-1, 623-2, and 623-3 due tothe buildup of excessive heat caused by higher VSWR values. Higher VSWRvalues equate to higher reflected power values, which will ultimatelydamage the amplifiers 623-1, 623-2, and 623-3. Conversely, lower VSWRvalues will not damage the amplifiers 623-1, 623-2, and 623-3, and willlead to better energy efficiencies because substantially all or most ofthe energy (power) will be transferred to the liquid and will improvethe treatment.

The microcontroller 621 may be an Atmel microprocessor, for example,that includes digital input and output ports, analog to digitalconverter input ports, onboard memory 601, a serial peripheral interface(SPI) bus 629 and a universal serial bus (USB) port 630.

The generator 600 may further include a high frequency (HF) synthesizer604 operable to generate sinusoidal carrier signal(s) from 10 Hz to 50MHz, for example. Each signal may be input into a frequency multiplier605 to produce a 20 Hz to 100 MHz carrier signal (i.e., an increase infrequency). A programmable signal generator 603 may be operable togenerate pulse, sinusoidal, square and triangular waveforms, forexample, in order to modulate the carrier from 1 Hz to 1000 Hz. Themultiplied output of the high-frequency synthesizer and the output ofthe programmable signal generator 603 may be combined by the operationalamplifier 606 functioning as a modulator. The operational amplifier'smodulated output may be fed into variable gain amplifier 607. Theamplifier 607 may be operable to generate and output a 50-ohm, modulatedfrequency carrier signal with a 0 dBm power level, and a −0.25/+0.25 Vppadjustable offset level with a modulation adjustment depth up to 100%.The output of the variable gain amplifier 607 may be connected to aninput port of the pre-amplifiers 622-1, 622-2, and 622-3.

The microcontroller 621 may be further operable to control the operationof the signal generator 603 and synthesizer 604 in order to set andadjust the carrier frequency, the percentage of modulation, modulationfrequency, modulation waveform, output gain and offset levels, forexample.

Each of the pre-amplifiers 622-1, 622-2, and 622-3 may comprise a lownoise amplifier with a 50-ohm input impedance port and 50-ohm outputimpedance port operating at 15V/1 A. Each of the pre-amplifiers 622-1,622-2, 622-3 may be operable to receive a maximum RF input power levelof 0 dBm and output a maximum output power of 5 watts. An output port ofa pre-amplifier 622-1, 622-2, and 622-3 may be connected directly to aninput port of an amplifier 623-1, 623-2, and 623-3, respectively,enabling an amplifier 623-1, 623-2, and 623-3 to produce 1000 watts ofRF power. Each of the amplifiers 623-1, 623-2, and 623-3 may be a500-1000 watts broadband pallet amplifier operating at 48V/45 A, with a50-ohm input impedance port and a 50-ohm output impedance port. In oneembodiment, each of the amplifiers 623-1, 623-2, and 623-3 may comprisea RF power MOSFET transistor providing high gain RF output power in asmall footprint. Each of the amplifiers 623-1, 623-2, and 623-3 mayinclude advanced thermal tracking bias circuitry allowing an amplifier623-1, 623-2, and 623-3 to operate with a stable gain over widetemperatures for sustained periods of time. The output of each of theamplifiers 623-1, 623-2, and 623-3 may be connected to the input port ofa respective detector directional coupler 624A-1, 624A-2, 624A-3.

In one embodiment each of the detector directional couplers 624A-1,624A-2, 624A-3 may comprise a combination of RF detectors and adirectional coupler. Each of the directional couplers 624A-1, 624A-2,624A-3 may be a four-port, quarter-wavelength, coaxial coupler. The fourports may comprise input, output, forward power and reflected powerports. The forward and reflected power output ports of each of thedirectional couplers 624A-1, 624A-2, 624A-3 may be connected to two,true power RMS RF power detector sensors. The RF power detector sensorsmay be operable to provide both forward and reverse power linearvoltages to the conditioning circuitry 611, and then toanalog-to-digital converter inputs of the microcontroller 621, wheresuch inputs may be used to compute a VSWR (and, if necessary a VSWRsignal).

Each of the low pass filters 624B-1, 624B-2, 624B-3 may comprise a 5pole Chebyshev filter, for example. Each of the low pass filters 624B-1,624B-2, 624B-3 may be operable to attenuate substantially all harmonicsof a carrier frequency above 41 MHz in order to comply with the Class Aradiated limits of the Federal Communications Commission's rules andregulations.

Each of the RF current sampler circuits 624C-1, 624C-2, and 624C-3 maybe operable to sample the RF current on a transmission line andtransform the sampled current to a desired current. Each of the RFtransmission lines 622A-1, 622A-2, and 622A-3 from a respectiveamplifier 622-1, 622-2, 622-3 is the primary side fed through a wirewound ferrite toroidal coil, while the wound coil is the secondary sideof the current transformer. An output signal from a wound toroidal coilmay be conditioned by circuitry 611 and then sent to theanalog-to-digital converter input port of the microcontroller 621, wherethe analog signal is digitized, and its value stored. Themicrocontroller 621 may be operable to monitor RF current values toprotect against electrolysis of the cooling tower piping. For example, acurrent of more than 2 A may cause pinholes (leaks) on cooling towerpiping. Accordingly, if the microcontroller 621 makes a determinationthat an RF current is greater than 2 A, the microcontroller 621 may beoperable to reduce an amplifier's 622-1, 622-2, 622-3 RF power (reducethe current) in an effort to protect against electrolysis.

As indicated above, thermal protective components, comprising heat sinks627-1, 627-2, 627-3, copper heat sink spreader 628, and fans 628A and628B-1, 628B-2, and 628B-3 may be used to remove heat generated by thepre-amplifier and amplifiers 622-1, 622-2, 622-3,623-1, 623-2, and623-3, respectively.

While generator 600 and one or more of the other components in FIGS. 3Athrough 3F (as well as FIG. 4A discussed below) may be implemented asseparate devices that may be connected to an inventive probe describedherein via a length of cable or conductor. Such a generator, smart probecontrol system and components may also be combined with an inventiveprobe to form an integrated device. Referring now to FIGS. 3G to 3Lthere are depicted integrated devices according to embodiments of theinvention.

In FIG. 3G an integrated device 3100 comprising a combination of aprobe, generator and smart probe system (the later described in moredetail below with respect to FIG. 4A) is shown. The integrated device3100 may be operable to receive a fluid, such as water, via an inlet oropening 3101 and discharge or otherwise output the same fluid via outletor opening 3102. It should be understood that the depicted location ofthe openings 3101, 3102 is merely exemplary and that other locations maybe selected. Further, the function of each opening 3101,3102 (i.e.,inlet versus outlet) may be reversed. Yet further, though only a singleinlet and outlet are show, it should be understood that more than oneinlet and/or outlet may be used. In one embodiment, the fluid enteringthe device 3100 may be used to control the temperature of the componentsthat are a part of the device 3100 (e.g., cool the components), such aslow pass filters and amplifiers.

Referring now to FIG. 3H there is depicted another view of the device3100 shown in FIG. 3G. As shown the device 3100 includes a section 3103for positioning a (i) generator, such as generator 600 and (ii) othercomponents described in FIGS. 3A through 3F, such as a power supply,couplers, low pass filters, amplifiers and fans and (iii) a smart probecontrol system described in FIG. 4A, for example, to name just a few ofthe components that may be positioned within section 3103. For the easeof understanding, the generator, additional components and smart probecontrol system are not shown in FIG. 3H though it should be understoodthat they all may be positioned within section 3103.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3H the integrated device 3100 maycomprise a probe 3600 such as probe 260 shown in FIGS. 2E through 2Gthough it should be understood that alternative probe designs may alsobe used.

Similar to device 260 shown in FIGS. 2E through 2G, probe 3600 maycomprise immersible coaxially aligned, cylindrical structures 3601, 3602enclosed within a housing 3105. The housing 3105 may comprise a303-stainless steel material, for example. As depicted the probe 3600comprises an inner cylindrical structure 3601 and an outer cylindricalstructure 3602.

In more detail, the outer structure 3602 may comprise an immersible,horizontally aligned stainless steel cylindrical tube made of303-stainless steel material, for example, hereafter referred to as thepositive element while the inner structure 3601 may comprise animmersible, horizontally aligned stainless steel cylindrical rod made of303-stainless steel material, for example, referred to hereafter as thenegative element. As shown structures 3601, 3602 may be coaxiallyaligned with one another.

A combination connector/compression fitting 3700 is shown connecting theinner structure 3601 to the outer structure 3602 and secured to thehousing 3105. To insure that no liquid leaks into the section 3103 thefitting may be a compression type fitting. In one embodiment the fitting3700 may comprise a 50 Ohm, N-type connector and compression fitting,for example.

The probe 3600 may operate similar to the operation of probe 260described elsewhere herein to treat unwanted materials in a liquid, suchas water.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3H the device 3100 may furthercomprise a heat sink 3104. As described in more detail below, the heatsink 3104 may be operable to remove heat from an integrated generator,components associated with the generator and a smart probe controlsystem positioned within section 3103. For example, when one surface ofthe heat sink 3104 is adjacent to an RF amplifier positioned withinsection 3013 (e.g. amplifier 623 described earlier; not shown in FIG.3H), the heat sink 3104 may be operable to conductively remove heat fromthe RF amplifier.

FIGS. 3I through 3L depict additional views of the device 3100 alongwith the heat sink 3104. In FIG. 3I the heat sink 3104 is shown ascomprising a hollow passageway 3104 a formed within a body 3014 b of theheat sink 3104. The passageway 3104 a is connected to inlet 3101 viainlet piping 3101 a on one end and outlet 3102 via outlet piping 3102 aon the other end to allow a liquid, such as water, to flow into andthrough the heat sink 3104 via the passageway 3104 a. In accordance withembodiments of the invention, heat from components positioned withinsection 3103 (again, not shown in FIG. 3I) may be conducted away fromsuch components to one surface of the heat sink 3104. The heat flowsconductively through the heat sink body 3104 b until it reaches asecond, inner surface of the body 3104 b that forms the surface ofhollow passageway 3104 a. The liquid flowing through the passageway 3104a comes in contact with the heated surface and functions to remove theheat away from the surface as it flows through the passageway 3104 a.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3I the passageway 3104 a may be formedas a plurality of rectangular shaped cavities 3104 c though this ismerely exemplary. Other shapes, such as oval cavities (see FIG. 3J), andtriangular cavities (see FIG. 3K) may be used to name just a few of themany additional types of cavities provided by the present invention. Inaddition, the cavities may be oriented such that liquid flows throughthe heat sink 3104 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular toopenings 3101,3102 (FIGS. 3I through 3K) or in a direction that issubstantially parallel to the openings 3101, 3102 (see FIG. 3L). Itshould be understood that the passageway 3104 may comprise one or moreconnected passageways, and that the overall shape and orientation of thepassageway 3104 a may vary and may take many different forms inaccordance with desired heat transfer parameters of a particular device.The heat sink 3104 may be formed from many different materials. Forexample, in one embodiment the heat sink 3104 may be formed from copperor a copper alloy.

As indicated above, the heat sink 3104 acts to remove heat fromcomponents within section 3103 thereby extending the life of suchcomponents that may be damaged if the temperature exceeds certainthresholds. Further, the heat sink 3104 extends the life of othercomponents within section 3103 that may not necessarily be damaged bysuch temperatures, but may be unnecessarily overworked in the absence ofheat sink 3104. For example, in embodiments of the invention fans (e.g.fans that are a part of circuitry 628A-1, 628A-2, and 628A-3, 628B-1,628B-2 and 628B-3 described earlier) may be included with section 3103to direct air over and around components within section 3103 to aid incontrolling the temperature of such components. In embodiments of theinvention, such fans may be operable to force air over and around suchcomponents upon receiving appropriate signals from a controller (notshown in FIG. 3I) and/or from thermocouples attached to the heat sink3104 (also not shown in FIG. 3I).

In more detail, one or more thermocouples attached to heat sink 3104 maybe operable to detect a change in the surface temperature of the heatsink 3104 due to a change in temperature of components positioned withinsection 3103. Upon detecting a certain threshold temperature or range oftemperatures the thermocouple(s) may be operable to output a signal tothe fans or to a controller that controls the fans. Upon receiving thesignal the fans may be operable to turn ON or OFF as the case may bedepending on the signal received. In one embodiment, upon detecting afirst, high temperature threshold of the heat sink 3104 thethermocouple(s) and/or controller may be operable to output one signalinstructing the fans to turn ON. Alternatively, or in addition to suchoperation, in yet another embodiment, upon detecting a second, lowtemperature threshold of the heat sink 3104 the thermocouple and/orcontroller may be operable to output one signal instructing the fans toturn OFF (e.g., when the components within section 3103 cool down). Inthis manner the fans will only operate in an ON mode upon detection, andmaintenance, of a certain, unacceptable temperature by the combinationof thermocouples, heat sink and/or controller. Otherwise the fans willremain in an OFF mode and/or be placed into such a mode when a detectedtemperature drops below a threshold. In this manner, the fans need notoperate all the time during periods when they are not needed, thusextending the operational lifetime of the fans.

Due to the ability to remove heat from components inside the device 3100it can be said that the device 3100 comprises a temperature controlled,integrated probe and generator.

Turning now to FIGS. 3M and N there is depicted additional views of thedevice 3100. FIG. 3M depicts a side view of the inner and outerelectrodes 3601, 3602, fitting 3700, heat sink 3104 and associatedpiping 3101 a to name just a few of the components shown in FIG. 3M.FIG. 3N depicts a view A-A taken from FIG. 3M.

The discussion above has focused on describing probes where either theelectric field is dominant or the magnetic field is dominant. However,as mentioned briefly before in describing probe 4601, the presentinventors also provide probes using both dominant electric and magneticfields. We now turn to a more detailed description of such “multi-field”probes.

Referring back to FIGS. 2J, 2L and 2N, there is depicted a dual-fieldprobe 4601 according to an embodiment of the invention. As depicted theprobe 4601 comprises a be section 4601 a that is operable to generate adominant magnetic field (sometimes referred to as a “magnetic fielddominant probe section”) and a section 4601 b that is operable togenerate a dominant electric field (sometimes referred to as an“electric field dominant probe section”). As explained in more detailherein, the combination of an applied electric field generated andapplied by section 4601 b and a magnetic field generated and applied bysection 4601 a is believed to create Lorentz type forces. It should beunderstood that Lorentz type forces are believed by the inventors to becreated and applied by all of the probes described herein, whetherelectric field probes, magnetic field probes or dual-field probes.However, the inventors believe that dual-field probes create and applythe most effective Lorentz type forces that can be used to treatunwanted material in a liquid. When such forces are applied to ions,such as CaCO₃, within a liquid (water) passing through probe 4601 suchforces are believed responsible for keeping the ions soluble in theliquid.

In one embodiment, the magnetic field dominant probe section 4601 a maybe similar in structure and operation to probe 2601 while the electricalfield dominant probe section 4601 b may be similar in structure andoperation to probe 260, for example.

Probe section 4601 a may be configured to receive output signals 2661 a,2662 a,b and 2663 a,b (See FIGS. 2J, 2L and 2N) from generator 2660while probe section 4601 b (and its associated, immersible coils) may beconfigured to receive signals 2661 b from generator 2660. Upon receivingsuch signals the magnetic field dominant probe section 4601 a (and itsassociated, immersible coils) may be operable to generate anelectromagnetic field having a dominant magnetic field and apply such afield to a liquid passing through the associated, immersible coils ofprobe 4601 to treat unwanted material in the liquid while, in addition,the electric field dominant probe section 4601 b (and its associated,immersible, cylindrical elements, for example) may be operable togenerate an electromagnetic field having a dominant electric field andapply such a field to a liquid passing through the associated,immersible elements of probe 4601 to further treat the unwantedmaterial.

Regardless of the type of probe section in embodiments of the invention,each of the signals 2661 a, 2661 b, 2662 a,b and 2663 a,b supplied bythe generator 2660 (or another type of generator described herein) tothe probe sections 4601 a,b and their associated, immersible elements orcoils may include a variable modulation frequency that corresponds tothe ionic cyclotron frequency of a mineral, such as calcium.Accordingly, the electric or magnetic fields created and applied bysections 4601 a,b to the liquid passing through probe 4601 may besimilarly modulated.

The generator 2660 may provide the magnetic field dominant section 4601a with a uniform or steady-state signal depending on how the generator2660 is connected to the section 4601 a. In particular, which ports 1,2, 3 or 4 of section 4601 a are connected to which port B, C or D of thegenerator 2660 and what type of signal is provided by a port B, C or Dto each so-connected port 1, 2, 3 or 4 of section 4601 a.

In one embodiment, the signals output by the generator 2660 via ports Band C are in-phase. Accordingly, in one embodiment the generator 2660may be operable to output or otherwise provide a uniform time-varyingsignal via ports B and C having an output power up to 500 watts.

As depicted the generator 2660 may also be connected to the dominantelectric field section 4601 b via port A. In an embodiment, thegenerator 2660 may output or provide a time-varying signal via port A tosection 4601 b, where the signal has a power of up to 500 watts.

Yet further, the generator 2660 may output or otherwise provide asteady-state signal (e.g., a DC signal) via port D. When the generator2660 is connected to dominant electric field section 4601 b via port A(and port 5 on section 4601 b) a steady state electric field is producedby the elements of section 4601 b. When the generator 2660 is connectedto dominant magnetic field section 4601 a via port D (and ports 2,3 onsection 4601 a) a steady state magnetic field is produced by the coilsof section 4601 a.

In embodiments of the invention, ports A through D of the generator 2660may be connected to ports 1 through 5 of probe 4601 using 50-ohmimpedance, coaxial transmission line cables 2700, for example.

In embodiments of the invention, ions of an unwanted material, such asCaCO₃, in a liquid (e.g., water) pass through the probe 4601 (or anotherprobe described herein). When the liquid and its ions first enter theprobe 4601 at opening 4602 a the ions are subjected to the appliedelectric field created by the dominant electric field section 4601 b. Inembodiments of the invention that utilize a dominant electric field,such as section 4601 b, the so applied electric field is believed tocause the ions to accelerate (i.e., speed up). Further, in thoseembodiments where a time-varying electric field is applied the ions areaccelerated towards one of the immersible elements or coils (the exactpath taken by a given type of ion is dependent upon the charge on theion and the charge on a given element or coil, i.e., the ion is repulsedby a similar charge but attracted by an opposite charge). In embodimentsof the invention, the charge applied to the immersible elements or coilsmay be alternated between positive and negative at a rate that issubstantially equal to the frequency of the time-varying signal (e.g.,40.68 MHz or 40.68 million times per second). Accordingly, this rapidlychanging charge on the elements or coils is believed to cause the ionsin the liquid to be alternatively repulsed by, or attracted to, theelements or coils. Because the frequency applied to the elements orcoils may be very high (again, 40.68 million times per second), the ionsare caused to repeatedly and rapidly change direction (i.e., 40.68million times per second). The net effect is believed to “confuse” theions; that is, an ion is only able to move towards, or away from, agiven element or coil for a very short period of time before itsdirection is changed when the charge (i.e., polarity) on an element orcoil is changed. Because the ion is so confused it cannot move towardsan element or coil it cannot adhere to the inner surface of the elementor coil or to the inner surface of a pipe, conduit or other passagewaythat is connected to the probe 4601 as the ion accelerates out of theprobe 4601.

In an embodiment of the invention, as an ion that is accelerated by thedominant electric field section 4601 b traverses the probe 4601 it maypass through to the magnetic field dominant section 4601 a. Accordingly,the ion begins to feel the effect of the applied magnetic field fromsection 4601 a. In accordance with embodiments of the invention theapplied magnetic field from section 4601 a (and other magnetic fielddominant probes described herein) is believed to cause the ion tovibrate or otherwise move in a spiral, helical or cycloid motion.

The resulting forces applied by the electric field and magnetic field inseries as an ion passes through probe 4601 is believed to act on the ionso that it remains soluble in a liquid. Such soluble ions, such as CaCO₃ions (scale), are less likely to attach to the surface of pipes or heatexchangers in a water system.

Referring now to FIG. 2Q, there is depicted another dual-field probe5600 according to an embodiment of the invention. As depicted the probe5600 comprises a magnetic field section and an electrical field section.In contrast to the dual-field probe 4601 in FIGS. 2J through 2N, probe5600 applies an electric field and a magnetic field in parallel (i.e.,at the same time), while probe 4601 applies an electric field andmagnetic field in “series” (one after the other). Accordingly, probe5600 will be referred to as a parallel, dual-field probe while probe4601 may be referred as a series, dual-field probe.

The combination of electric and magnetic fields is believed to createLorentz type forces by coils 5605,5609 and elements 5610,5611. When suchforces are applied to ions, such as CaCO₃, by coils 5605,5609 andelements 5610,5611 within a liquid (water) passing through probe 5600such forces are believed responsible for keeping the ions soluble in theliquid.

In one embodiment, the magnetic field section may be somewhat similar instructure and operation to probe 2601. However, unlike probe 2601, probe5600 comprises just immersible, radial coils 5610 and 5611, not axialcoils. The electrical field section may be similar in structure andoperation to probe 260, for example, in that the immersible elements5605 and 5609 are cylindrically shaped.

The immersible, radial coils 5610 and 5611 may be configured asHelmholtz coils as described previously herein with respect to probe2601 in FIG. 2H. The coils 5610,5611 may be connected to generator 2660via 50 Ohm impedance, electrical conductors 2700, for example. Thegenerator may output or otherwise provide signals 5661 via port B (forexample) to the coils 5610,5611. Upon receiving such signals the coils5610,5611 may be operable to generate an electromagnetic field having adominant magnetic field and apply such a field to a liquid passingthrough the probe 5600 to treat unwanted material in the liquid.

The electric field section may comprise: a non-conducting cylindricaltube 5602 made of Delrin material, for example; an immersible, stainlesssteel cylindrical tube 5605 (e.g., a pipe) made of stainless steelmaterial (e.g., 303-stainless steel), for example, hereafter referred toas the negative element; an immersible, cylindrical rod 5609 made ofstainless steel material (e.g., 303-stainless steel), for example,referred to hereafter as the positive element. As shown immersibleelements 5605, 5609 are coaxially aligned with one another. Elements5605, 5609 may also be configured with respect to one another to reducefringing effects.

The elements 5605, 5609 may be connected to generator 2660 via 50 Ohmimpedance, electrical conductors 2700, for example. The generator 2660may output or otherwise provide signals 5662 via port A (for example) tothe elements 5605,5609. Upon receiving such signals the elements5605,5609 may be operable to generate an electromagnetic field having adominant electric field and apply such a field to a liquid passingthrough the probe 5600 at substantially the same time that the coils5610,5611 are applying a dominant magnetic field in order to treatunwanted material in the liquid with both electric and magnetic fields.The resultant forces applied to material (e.g., mineral ions) in theliquid are Lorentz type forces described in more detail elsewhereherein.

The probe 5600 may further include a PVC spacer 5604 (e.g., 1 inchspacer) that is operable to insulate the magnetic field generated bycoils 5610, 5611 from the negative electrode (e.g., metal pipe) 5605used to generate the electric field. The spacer 5604 is further operableto minimize the coupling of the electric field generated using theelectrode 5605 to the coils 5610,5611 to reduce attenuation of themagnetic field.

As depicted, the positive electrode 5609 may be configured to bepositioned in the middle or center of the probe 5600 as well astraversing the length of the negative electrode 5605. Two 50 ohm inputports 5612,5613 are included in the probe 5600. Ports 5612,5613 may beconnected to the ports A and B of the generator 2660. In embodiments ofthe invention the generator may be operable to output signals having apower of up to 500 watts, for example, via ports A and B, for example,that are input into ports 5612,5613 of the probe 5600.

In embodiments, the generator 2660 may output via ports A and B, and theprobe may receive and input via ports 5612,5613 time-varying signals inorder to create time-varying electric and magnetic fields that areapplied to the liquid passing through probe 5600. Yet further, asdescribed in more detail below, the time-varying signals applied to theliquid create induced signals as well. For example, the time-varyingmagnetic field created by coils 5610,5611 creates an induced electricfield, and, conversely, the applied electric field created by elements5605,5609 creates an induced magnetic field.

The signals 5661,5662 provided by the generator 2660 may further includea variable modulation frequency that corresponds to the ionic cyclotronfrequency of calcium, for example. Thereafter, the time-varying electricor magnetic fields created by coils 5610,5611 or elements 5605,5609 andapplied to the liquid passing through probe 5600 may be similarlymodulated.

Also shown in FIG. 2Q are structural compression fittings 5603, 5606,O-rings 5601, and compression fitting 5607 for element 5609.

FIGS. 2R and 2S depict simplified electrical circuit diagrams for theprobe 5600 shown in FIG. 2Q.

In FIG. 2R, an exemplary, simplified electrical diagram of device 5600is depicted. In accordance with embodiments of the invention the radialcoils 5610,5611 may be configured in a Helmholtz coil configuration. Inthe embodiment depicted in FIG. 2R, the immersible coils 5610,5611 andelements 5605,5609 may be connected to the broadband electromagneticgenerator 2660. In more detail, the coils 5610,5611 and elements5605,5609 may be connected to a particular port of the generator 2660which we will refer to as “port B”, it being understood that thisdesignation is arbitrary and the inventors could use any number ofdifferent designations. As connected in FIG. 2R the generator 2660 maybe operable to output a uniform, time-varying signal 5661 to the coils5610,5611 and elements 5605,5609 respectively, to enable the coils5610,5611 and elements 5605,5609 making up probe 5600 to produce auniform, time-varying-magnetic field and a uniform time-varying electricfield, respectively, at substantially the same time.

The so-generated and applied fields when applied to a liquid such aswater, treats unwanted material in the water (e.g., prevents and ormitigates scale (CaCO₃)). The signal 5661 provided by the generator 2660and applied to the coils 5610,5611 and elements 5605,5609 may include avariable modulation frequency that corresponds to the ionic cyclotronfrequency of calcium. Thereafter, the magnetic field created by coils5610,5611 and the electric field created by elements 5605,5609 that areapplied to the liquid passing through probe 5600 may be similarlymodulated.

Referring now to FIG. 2S there is depicted another exemplary, simplifiedelectrical diagram of device 5600. In accordance with embodiments of theinvention the immersible radial coils 5610,5611 may again be configuredin a Helmholtz coil configuration In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2S,the coils 5610,5611 and elements 5605,5609 are again connected to thebroadband electromagnetic generator 2660. However, the coils 5610,5611and elements 5605,5609 in FIG. 2S are connected to the generator 2660differently than the coils and elements in FIG. 2R.

In more detail, the immersible radial coils 5610,5611 may be connectedto port B of the generator while elements 5605,5609 may be connected toa different port, designated as port A, of the generator 2660. Asconnected in FIG. 2S the generator 2660 may be operable to outputtime-varying signals 5661,5662 that are in phase with one another Suchin-phase signals, when applied to the coils 5610,5611 and elements5605,5609 of probe 5600 may enable the coils 5610,5611 and elements5605,5609 making up probe 5600 to produce time-varying fields that, whenapplied to a liquid such as water, treats unwanted material in thewater. The signals 5661,5662 provided by the generator 2660 and appliedto the coils 5610,5611 and elements 5605,5609 may include a variablemodulation frequency that corresponds to the ionic cyclotron frequencyof calcium, for example. Accordingly, the magnetic field created bycoils 5610,5611 and electric field created by elements 5605,5609 andapplied to the liquid passing through probe 5600 may be similarlymodulated.

It should be noted that any given port of the generator 2660 may bein-phase, or out-of-phase with another port of the generator, though fordual-field probes the signals output by the generator 2660 will bein-phase, for example.

In embodiments of the invention, ions of an unwanted material, such asCaCO₃, in a liquid (e.g., water) pass through the probe 5600. When theliquid and its ions enter the probe 5600 the ions are subjected to boththe electric field created by the elements 5605,5609 and magnetic fieldcreated by coils 5610,5611. In embodiments of the invention, thesubstantially, simultaneously applied electric and magnetic fields arebelieved to cause the ions to simultaneously accelerate (i.e., speed up)and vibrate or otherwise move in a spiral, helical or cycloid motion.The net result is that the ions remain soluble in the liquid.

A time-varying, constant electric field (e.g., constant amplitude)applied to the ions is believed to accelerate the ions towards one ofthe immersible elements or coils (the exact path taken by a given typeof ion is dependent upon the charge on the ion and the charge on a givenelement or coil, i.e., the ion is repulsed by a similar charge butattracted by an opposite charge). In embodiments of the invention, thecharge applied to the immersible elements or coils may be alternatedbetween positive and negative at a rate that is substantially equal tothe frequency of the time-varying signal (e.g., 40.68 MHz or 40.68million times per second). Accordingly, this rapidly changing charge onthe elements or coils in conjunction with its spiral-like movement isbelieved to cause the ions in the liquid to be alternatively repulsedfrom, or attracted to, the elements or coils. Because the frequencyapplied to the elements or coils may be very high (again, 40.68 milliontimes per second), the ions are caused to repeatedly and rapidly changedirection (i.e., 40.68 million times per second) as well as spiralhaphazardly. The net effect is believed to “confuse” the ions; that is,an ion is only able to move towards, or away from, a given element orcoil for a very short period of time before its direction is changedwhen the charge (i.e., polarity) on an element or coil is changed, andis caused to spiral. Because the ion cannot move towards an element orcoil and is spiraling haphazardly, it cannot adhere to the inner surfaceof the element or coil or to the inner surface of a pipe, conduit orother passageway that is connected to the probe 5600 as the ionaccelerates out of the probe.

In embodiments of the invention, the combined forces resulting from theelectric and magnetic field applied to an ion by coils 5610,5611 andelements 5605,5609 are believed to create Lorentz type forces (F) givenby the following relationship:

F=q[E+(v×B)], where (q), is the charge of a particular ion travellingwith velocity (v), in the presence of an electric field (E) and amagnetic field (B).

The spiral or helical (cycloid) motion of ions (e.g., CaCO₃) is believedto be the result of an applied magnetic field that is modulating theions at their ionic cyclotron frequency (f_(ICF)), which may be computedusing the following relationship:

f _(ICF)=(z·e·B)/(2·π·m)

where (z) is the number of positive or negative charges of the ions, (e)is the elementary charge, and (m) is the mass of the ions.

As seen from the above relationship, the ionic cyclotron frequency,f_(ICF), is proportional to the magnitude of the generated magneticfield (B). As a result, the ionic cyclotron frequency f_(ICR) willchange if the magnetic field (i.e., amplitude) created and applied bycoils 5605,5609 (or any set of coils described herein) is not heldconstant. Further, it is believed that in order to accelerate andhelically spin ions, such as CaCO₃, at a desired frequency, thegenerated electric field (E) and magnetic field (B) must remain constantat all times. Yet further, because each of the electric field andmagnetic field sections of a dual-field probe may be connected to theirown impedance matching circuitry, the electric and magnetic fields areheld constant despite the fact that the conductivity of a liquid, suchas water, changes.

The resulting Lorentz type force, when applied to an ion passing throughprobe 5600, is believed to prevent the ion from becoming attracted to asurface of a pipe or heat transfer surface as well as prevent the ionfrom being attracted to another ion and, therefore, prevents ions fromforming an aggregated mass of ions. Said another way, the ions remaindissolved or soluble in a liquid. If the ions are CaCO₃ ions (scale),such dissolved ions are less likely to form an aggregated mass and lesslikely to attach to the surface of pipes or heat exchangers in a watersystem.

In the discussion above it was indicated that the probe 5600 createsinduced electrical and magnetic fields. In more detail, the totalmagnetic field, B_(Tot), from Helmholtz coils 5610,5611 having a radius(r) produces an induced electric field (E_(induce)) given by thefollowing relationship:

E _(induce)=½·B _(Tot) ·r

Conversely, the electric field produced by the elements 56055609 createsan induced magnetic field. The induced magnetic field, B_(induce), isgoverned by Ampere-Maxwell's Law and is derived from the relationship:

B _(Induce)=μ_(o) I _(d)/2πr

where (I_(d)) is the so-called displacement current which flows throughan imaginary cylindrical surface (S), with length (l) and radius (r), asshown in FIG. 2T. In an embodiment, the displacement current flowingfrom element 5605 to element 5609 in probe 5600 crosses surface (S),where S=2·π·l·r.

Gauss's Law is responsible for the Electric flux density(D)=∈_(o)·∈_(r)·E, hence, the displacement current I_(d) may be derivedby the following relationship:

$I_{d} = {{\frac{\partial D}{\partial t} \cdot S} = {\frac{\partial}{\partial t} \cdot (D) \cdot \left( {2{\pi \cdot r \cdot l}} \right)}}$

Once the displacement current I_(d) is known, in embodiments of theinvention, the induced magnetic field (B) created by elements 5610,5611can be calculated from the displacement current I_(d).

Both the applied and induced electric and magnetic fields contribute tothe Lorentz forces applied to unwanted material in a liquid passingthrough a dual-field probe provided by the present invention.

As mentioned previously herein, maintaining a constant, magnetic field(e.g. amplitude) and a constant electric field (i.e., amplitude) isbelieved to be important in the effective treatment of unwanted materialin a liquid. As discussed in more detail below, the inventors havediscovered that by controlling the effective impedance of thecombination of a generator and a connected probe so that the impedanceis constant, it is possible to maintain the amplitude of both theelectric and magnetic fields at a constant value.

In more detail, referring now to FIG. 4A, there is depicted a smartprobe control system 400 according to one embodiment of the invention.The system 400 may be operable to maintain the overall impedance of anelectrical circuit that contains a generator, such as generator 600 or2600, a probe (e.g., probes 160, 160 b, 260,310, 2601, 4601, and 5600)described herein and a signal transmission medium (e.g., cable). as wellas minimize impedance mismatches that may damage the generator. Thesmart probe control system 400 may be separated from an inventive probe,or, alternatively, may be combined with a probe to form an integrateddevice such as those devices depicted in FIGS. 2H and 3G through 3N

As a result of changes in conductivity and temperature, the dielectricpermittivity and impedance of probes provided by the present inventionmay be constantly changing. Realizing this, and realizing such changeswould adversely affect the ability to maintain a constant electric fieldamplitude and a constant magnetic field amplitude, the present inventorsprovide for an impedance matching circuit.

Generally, a probe provided by the present invention may form acapacitor that can be considered an equivalent electrical circuitcomprised of a capacitance (C), in parallel with a resistance (R). Thecapacitance, resistance and dielectric permittivity (∈) of the liquid,for example water, flowing through such a probe forms a compleximpedance represented by the following relationship: Z*=R+jω1/c.

In the case where the inventive probe utilizes cylindrical elements,such as probe 260, or a part of dual-field probe 4601 or 5600 theimpedance (Z) of such a probe may be calculated using the relationshipset forth below, where the impedance (Z) is proportional to the productof the inverse square root of dielectric permittivity of the waterflowing through the probe, and the logarithmic ratio of the outerconcentric and inner concentric electrodes (D) and (d) (e.g., positiveand negative conductive elements) respectively:

Z=138/(√∈)×Log(D/d)

The dielectric permittivity may be expressed as a complex number:

∈=∈′−j∈″

Where ∈′ is the dielectric constant and ∈″ is the dielectric lossfactor. The dielectric loss factor is a function of conductivity andfrequency, where ∈″=σ/2πf, and ω=2πf.

The dielectric permittivity may be further expressed as a function ofthe dielectric constant and the conductivity σ as follows:

∈=∈′−jσ/ω

When the impedance of an inventive probe is different from that of aconnected electromagnetic waveform generator and transmission medium(e.g., conductive cable) a “mismatch” is said to exist. When thisoccurs, some of the RF energy sent from the generator to the probe maybe reflected by the probe, back down the transmission line, and into thegenerator. If the so reflected energy is strong enough, it can preventthe generator from operating correctly, and possibly ruin the generator.Further, mismatched impedances adversely affect the ability of theinventive probes to effectively treat unwanted material in a liquidbecause such mismatched impedances are believed to cause the amplitudeof the electric field applied to the liquid to vary as well as cause themagnetic field applied to the liquid to vary. Such variations in theamplitude of the electric and magnetic fields result in a decrease inthe forces that are applied to unwanted material, as explained furtherherein.

In contrast, when an electromagnetic generator, transmission medium andprobe are connected and each has the same impedance, the threecomponents are said to be impedance “matched”. When so matched, theamount of reflected RF energy may be minimized thus allowing a maximumamount of RF energy to be transferred from the generator to the probe.Yet further, matched components insure a constant amplitude of theelectric and magnetic fields that result in optimum forces being appliedto unwanted material, as explained further herein.

To eliminate the issue of mismatched impedances (i.e., to matchimpedances), the present inventors provide a smart probe control system,such as exemplary system 400 depicted in FIG. 4A that insures elementsare impedance matched (e.g., generator, connecting cables, and probe,etc.,). System 400 or one or more of the elements of system 400 may bereferred to as impedance matching circuitry. Regarding FIG. 4A and thedescription that follows, it should be understood that each probe orprobe section may be controlled by a separate smart probe controlsection that includes impedance matching circuitry, as explained in moredetail below. For the sake of efficiency the description that followswill be directed at a control section and impedance matching circuitrythat can be applied to each type of probe or probe section.

Generally speaking, impedance matching circuitry according toembodiments of the invention may be operable to maintain an impedance ofa probe, signal generator and a transmission medium connecting the probeand generator at a matched impedance, and maintain a constant amplitudeof an electric field created by an electric filed dominant probe (orelectric field section) and a constant amplitude of a magnetic fieldcreated by a magnetic field dominant probe (or probe section).

In more detail, the ratio of forward RF energy (power) to reflected RFenergy (power) is known as VSWR. VSWR is an important parameter used tocalculate the amount of RF energy that may be transferred to a probe andthe amount of reflected energy that the probe does not receive. VSWR istypically the most important parameter for matching the impedance of agenerator, transmission medium and probe. For example, a VSWR of 1.0:1indicates a perfect match. As more energy is reflected, the VSWR may(undesirably) increase to 2.0:1, 3.0:1, or higher.

In one embodiment, a VSWR of 1.5:1 or less is most effective in thetreatment of liquids that contain scale. Furthermore, a VSWR of 1.5:1 orless may prolong a generator's mean time between failures (MTBF) andmake it more energy efficient.

The smart probe control system 400 may include a control device 422(e.g., microcontroller, microprocessor, or controller collectively“microcontroller” for short). The microcontroller 422 may be connectedto the positive and negative conductive elements of a probe, such asprobes 160, 160 b, 260, 310, 2601 or dual-field probes 4601 and 5600that may have a fixed impedance of 50 Ohms, for example (not shown inFIG. 4A). To achieve and maintain a VSWR of 1.5:1 or less, themicrocontroller 422 may be operable to automatically measure both theforward RF energy/power (F) and reflected RF energy/power (R) of thepositive and negative conductive elements, respectively. From suchmeasurements the microcontroller 422 may be operable to compute a VSWRbased on the following relationship:

VSWR=(1+√(R/F))/(1−√(R/F))

The microcontroller 422 may be operable to store the computed VSWRvalues as so-called “look up tables” in onboard memory or in associatedmemory (not shown in FIG. 4A). Upon computing a VSWR value, themicrocontroller 422 may be further operable to account for the effectsof a given probe's reactance by controlling an impedance tuning section425 to 430 a to select (e.g., adding, subtracting) an appropriatecapacitance to cancel out an inductive reactance, and/or select anappropriate inductance to cancel out capacitive reactance.

System 400 may also include a directional coupling section 404 that isoperable to receive an RF signal from an electromagnetic waveformgenerator 403 and provide forward and reflected power to two RF powersensors 408, 409. RF power sensors 408, 409 may be operable to provideboth forward and reverse power linear voltages to the microcontroller422 via analog-to-digital converter inputs of the microcontroller 422 inorder to allow the microcontroller 422 to compute a VSWR based on theforward and reflected voltages.

System 400 may further comprise an impedance tuning section 425 to 430 athat includes banks of fixed capacitors C₁ to C_(n) and inductors L₁ toL_(n) (where “n” denotes the last capacitor or inductor in a bank),MOSFET shift registers 427A, 428A and relays 429, 430 a. Themicrocontroller 422 may be operable to configure the tuning section 425to 430 a by, for example, selecting a combination of capacitors andinductors and selecting either the low impedance or the high impedancerelay 429, 430 a, respectively, to achieve an appropriate VSWR (e.g.,low or lowest VSWR).

A signal output from the directional coupling section 404 may be sent toa power limiting section 416 that is operable to reduce the power of thesignal, convert the signal to a square wave and feed the so convertedsignal to a divide by 256-frequency counter 414. The signal output fromcounter 414 may be sent to a digital input port 418 of themicrocontroller 422.

As mentioned before the impedance matching circuitry may be designed tocancel the inductive and/or capacitive reactance components of a probe160, 160 b, 260, 310, 2601, 4601 and 5600 so that the only remainingportion of the probe's impedance, (Z), is the 50-ohm resistivecomponent. For example, upon determination of the VSWR values, themicrocontroller 422 may be operable to instruct the tuning section 425to 430 a to select a combination of capacitors and inductors to achievean appropriate VSWR (e.g., low or lowest VSWR). to cancel theappropriate inductive and/or capacitive reactance of the probe 160, 160b, 260, 310, 2601, 4601 and 5600 so that only a 50-ohm resistive load isapplied to the generator 403.

A “wake-up” signal generating section 412 may also be included. Section412 may be operable to place the microcontroller 422 in a “sleep” modewhen the microcontroller 422 is not required to compute a VSWR (e.g.,when a previously computed VSWR stored in a look-up table is used), andto “awaken” the microcontroller 422 from a sleep mode in order to promptthe microcontroller 422 to compute a VSWR, for example.

In one embodiment of the invention, the microcontroller 422 may beoperable to store specialized instructions (e.g., firmware) in a memory,where the specialized instructions may be used to configure the tuningsection 425 to 430 a. One such configuration may be used to, forexample, minimize the number of tuning adjustments. For example, in oneembodiment, the microcontroller 422 may access stored, specializedinstructions to complete coarse tuning. In such a case themicrocontroller 422 may be operable to send a signal to deactivate thehigh impedance relay 429 if necessary, and then control the operation ofMOSFET shift registers 427A, 428A to select an individual inductor L₁ toL_(n) to determine a matching impedance. Upon selection of a set ofinductors L₁ to L_(n), the microcontroller 422 may then be operable toselect capacitors C₁ to C_(n) that are associated with a matchingimpedance, and compute VSWRs. If, upon making such computations, anappropriate VSWR is not computed, the microcontroller 422 may beoperable to activate the low impedance relay 430 a, and then repeat theselection of inductors L₁ to L_(n), capacitors C₁ to C_(n) andcomputations.

In one embodiment, upon completion of coarse tuning, the microcontroller422 may be further operable to complete “fine” tuning of the previouslyselected inductor and capacitor combinations by further selecting (orde-selecting) such inductors/capacitors, and computing VSWRs todetermine whether a desired VSWR or a VSWR of 1.5:1 or lower can beobtained.

In a further embodiment of the invention, system 400 (e.g.,microcontroller 422) may be operable to continuously compute VSWR valuesand compare such computed values to a stored reference VSWR (e.g.,1.5:1). When a comparison indicates a computed VSWR is greater than thestored reference, the microcontroller 422 may initiate or repeat furthercoarse and fine tuning sequences. Otherwise, the microcontroller 422 maynot initiate or repeat such tuning.

In this manner the overall impedance of an electrical circuit comprisinga generator, transmission medium (e.g., cable) and probe can be matched.Further, the amplitude of the electric and magnetic fields can bemaintained at a substantially constant level. Because the amplitudes ofthe electric and magnetic fields are held constant, the applied electricand magnetic fields will be able to apply optimum Lorentz type forces tounwanted material in a liquid at a corresponding ionic cyclotronfrequency of the unwanted material.

The present invention also provides the ability to service or otherwisemaintain a liquid transport and treatment system. In one embodiment, themicrocontroller 422 may be operable to communicate with a testingapparatus 4000 via connection or channel (collectively “channel”) 4000 ato allow information about the operation of the system 400 and of anelectromagnetic waveform generator and probe described herein to becommunicated to service or maintenance personnel. In response, testingapparatus 4000 may be operable to exchange specialized instructions withthe microcontroller 422 in order to control the operation of system 400,a generator and/or probe, and/or otherwise obtain the status of system400, generator or probe via channel 4000 a. The microcontroller 422 maydo so via a communications port 423 of the microcontroller 422 to namejust one of many ways in which system 400 may communicate with testingapparatus 4000 via channel 4000 a. When testing apparatus 4000 comprisesa portable or handheld test set, the communications port 423 maycomprise a serial port operable to allow for connection of the handheldor otherwise portable test to microcontroller 422 via channel 4000 a byservice or maintenance personnel. Alternatively, when testing apparatus4000 comprises a remote station, the communications port 423 maycomprise a modem or other necessary electronics necessary to transmitand receive information to/from such a remote station via channel 4000a. Such a remote station may include an interface (e.g., graphical userinterface, “GUI”) to permit information exchanged between the system400, generator and probe to be viewed or otherwise accessed by serviceor maintenance personnel.

Referring now to FIGS. 4B and 4C, there is depicted exemplary displaysof data that may be generated by apparatus 4000. In embodiments of theinvention apparatus 4000 may comprise a controller or computer(collectively “controller”) operable to generate displays to bedisplayed by a GUI 4001. Referring first to FIG. 4B, there is depictedexemplary displays that may be generated by the GUI 4001 or one or moresimilar components capable of displaying data that are a part ofapparatus 4000. It should be understood that apparatus 4000 may receiveand send (i.e., communicate with) signals and data from, and to, othercomponents of a liquid transport and treatment system (e.g., system 400)other than the microcontroller 422 via channel 4000 b. For example,signals and data may be received and/or sent from, and to, a probe,generator, valve, controllers, thermocouples, sensors and meters (e.g.,see the description herein that refers to FIGS. 3A through 3F)appropriately configured to communicate with the apparatus 4000 to namejust a few components that may send and and/or receive signals from/toapparatus 4000 via channel 4000 b. In such embodiments apparatus 4000and GUI 4001 may be located at, or near, a transport and treatmentsystem that is equipped with an inventive device described herein, ortheir equivalents, or a system that is equipped with other devices fortreating unwanted material in a liquid. Alternatively, apparatus 4000and GUI 4001 may be located remote from such a system. In such a case,the apparatus is operable to communicate remotely with the transportsystem and inventive devices described herein such as immersible devicesand integrated generators and the components associated with suchdevices via channels 4000 a, 4000 b.

As illustrated by the data depicted in FIGS. 4B and 4C, apparatus 4000may be capable of receiving signals from components of a water transportand treatment system in order to collect data and monitor a plurality ofparameters associated with characteristics of water and/or associatedwith the operation of components of such a system. In FIG. 4B thecollected data may be associated with parameters 4002 from cold loops ofone or more cooling towers 4004 and data that is associated withparameters 4003 from hot loops from the same cooling towers 4004. In theexample depicted in FIGS. 4B and 4C the cooling towers 4004 are atreated cooling tower designated “CT 1” (i.e., a cooling tower that usesan inventive probe) and an untreated cooling tower designated “CT 2” (acooling tower that does not use an inventive probe) though this ismerely exemplary. Said another way, apparatus 4000 and GUI 4001 may beused with (i.e., connected to) any number of different water treatmentsystems other than the ones illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 4C.

Continuing, the GUI 4001 may be operable to display data and parametersassociated with characteristics of a liquid in a transport system oroperation of components of the transport system. For example, in anembodiment the apparatus 4000 may be operable to compute, and the GUImay be operable to display, a fouling resistance and the data andparameters related to such resistance on a chart or graph 4005 that is apart of GUI 4001 as shown in FIG. 4B. The fouling resistance (and itsrelated data and parameters) may be visually displayed in a chart orgraph 4005 to name just a few of the many ways such data and parametersmay be displayed by GUI 4001 (e.g., tabular or text may be alternativemethods). The displayed fouling resistance may be computed, for example,from parameters 4002 and 4003. The data associated with parameters 4002and 4003 may be detected or otherwise collected by components describedelsewhere herein, such as the thermocouples 302 a through 302D, valves303A through 303C, sensors 309A and 309B, meters 316, 318, controllers307 and 323 and described with reference to FIGS. 3A through 3F to namejust a few of the many types of components that may be used to collectthe data associated with parameters desired to be computed.

In addition to fouling resistance, apparatus 4000 may be operable tocompute, and GUI 4001 may be operable to display, a combination of dataparameters as charts or graphs representative of a number of additionalmeasurements, such as conductivity 4006, power consumption 4007,turbidity 4008, corrosion 4009, pH 4010 and temperature 4011,4012 (HotIn/Out, Cold In/Out) of a liquid transport and treatment system to namejust a few of the many computations that may be computed by apparatus4000 and displayed by GUI 4001.

Referring now to FIG. 4C there is depicted additional data andparameters that may be computed by apparatus 4000 and then displayed byGUI 4001 on charts or graphs, for example. As can be seen in FIG. 4C,the parameters may be based on data that is collected from components ofa transport system, such as pumps and fans, in addition to data relatedto a characteristic of water. For example, the exemplary GUI 4001 inFIG. 4C may be operable to display a chart or graph of data andparameters related to pump(s) speed (RPMs) 4015 and, fan speed(s) (RPMs)4014. In addition, the apparatus 4000 and GUI 4001 may be operable tocompute and then display on charts or graphs, for example, a combinationof additional data and parameters such as flow rates 4013, biofouling4016, saturation index 4017, and hold/cold temperature differentials(deltas) 4018 shown in FIG. 4C.

Because apparatus 4000 and GUI 4001 are capable of computing anddisplaying a wide array of parameters related to a transport system itcan also be used to improve the overall efficiency of components of sucha system.

In additional embodiments of the invention, the data received, andcomputations generated, by apparatus 4000 may be stored in an associatedmemory (not shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C) and used as real-time orhistorical information by apparatus 4000 to further: (a) compute andgenerate maintenance schedules for components of a transport system, (b)compute and estimate times when failures may occur in the future in suchcomponents, and to (c) identify and isolate failures of components insuch systems in real-time to name just a few of the many ways in whichsuch collected data and computations may be used. Upon making suchcomputations, a user of apparatus 4000 may be able to more efficientlyschedule preventive and/or regularly scheduled maintenance visits bymaintenance or service personnel to such a system. That is, instead ofscheduling too many or too few maintenance or service visits that resultin unnecessary costs or worse, component failures, systems and devicesprovided by the present invention allow a user to schedule visits in asmarter, more effective manner that may reduce the cost of operating atransport system and reduce the number of unexpected failures ofcomponents making up such a system.

In addition to receiving data related to the characteristics of a liquidand/or the operation of components of a water transport system thepresent inventors provide for means and ways to control suchcharacteristics and components. In embodiments of the invention, uponreceiving data, computing parameters and displaying such data andparameters, such as those depicted in FIGS. 4B and 4C, apparatus 4000may be operable to transmit or otherwise send signals to components of awater transport system via channels 4000 a, 4000 b in order to controlthe operation of such components, which, in turn, may control thecharacteristics of a liquid. In one embodiment, apparatus 4000 mayinclude a central controller that is operable to generate electricalsignals based on the data collected and parameters computed and thensend such signals to components within the system or to othercontrollers, such as motor controllers or temperature controllers viachannels 4000 a, 4000 b in order to control the operation of suchcomponents and control the characteristics of a liquid in the system.For example, in one embodiment a central controller that is a part ofapparatus 4000 may be operable to execute stored instructions in itsmemory to generate signals associated with data it has receivedconcerning the speed of a pump or fan. Such signals may be sent to apump or fan directly, or to a motor controller connected to the pump orfan. In either case, such signals, once received by the motorcontroller, pump or fan may cause a motor that is a part of such a pumpor fan to either increase or decrease its speed (RPMs). By changing thespeed of a pump or fan the characteristics of a liquid, such as water,may also be affected. For example, the flow rate of water in a systemmay be effected, which in, turn, may affect other characteristics.

In a similar fashion, the central controller may be operable to sendsignals to other components of the system via channels 4000 a, 4000 b inorder to effect changes to other characteristics of water and/or toaffect the efficiency and overall operation of the system.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of a cooling tower system 500 used, forexample, in a data center, industrial and commercial building orcomplex, and large residential building or complex.

Cooling towers use large amounts of water and other liquids forevaporative cooling. The evaporation process causes some portion of theliquids (e.g., water) to be evaporated, and other portions to remain ina basin 505 of a cooling tower 504. The portions that remain (i.e., arenot evaporated) become highly concentrated with solids, such as calciumcarbonate (scale), corrosive materials and other unwanted material. Toreduce these unwanted materials, the unwanted materials must beperiodically removed from the cooling tower 504 by a method referred toas “blow-down”. Once some or all of the cooling tower liquid is drained,the original liquid level must be replenished; this includes the liquidlost through evaporation, blow-down, drift, and system leaks. As aresult, the total dissolved solids, pH, temperature, and conductivitymay be constantly changing, creating a dynamic liquid environment withinthe cooling tower 504.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, system 500 mayinclude an exemplary, integrated inventive probe 501 (e.g., probes 160,160 b, 260, 310, 2601, 4601, 5600), smart probe control system 502 (withimpedance matching circuitry) and an integrated exemplaryelectromagnetic generator 503 in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention in order to treat a liquid in cooling tower 504 that containsunwanted material. Though not shown the system 500 may also be connectedto a testing apparatus, such as testing apparatus 4000 depicted in FIG.4A, and may include thermocouples, valves, sensors, meters andcontrollers (such as those shown in FIGS. 3A through 3F), for example,to allow information about the operation of the system 500 and of itsintegrated electromagnetic waveform generator, probe and smart probecontrol system to be communicated to service or maintenance personnel.

In the embodiments described above reference has been made to manydifferent types of devices that are used to detect and collect currentdata related to the treatment of unwanted material in a liquid in atransport system, such as generators, valves, controllers,thermocouples, sensors and meters, for example (see FIGS. 2A, 3A through3F and 4A through 4C). In additional embodiments, such collected datamay be used by a system to measure an amount of a resource, orresources. Some non-limiting examples of a resource are energy, power,amount of chemicals (e.g., de-scaling chemicals) and device lifetime(e.g., operational lifetime, mean-time-before failure times). Theseresources may be measured by one of the controllers or computer systemsdescribed previously herein, or by a separate controller, computersystem or measurement system (collectively “measurement system”). Ineither case, such a measurement system may be operable to receive datarepresentative of one or more resources that are, or may be, affected bythe treatment of unwanted material in a liquid using an inventive systemor device described herein, such as an immersible, dual-field probe. Forthe sake of efficiency the features of such a probe will not berepeated, it being understood that the features previously described maybe incorporated into such a probe.

The measurement system is typically operated by a user, or an agent ofthe user (e.g., service or maintenance company, consultant).

Upon receiving such current data the measurement system may be operableto compare the received, current data to stored, reference data and/orto a threshold level. The stored data may comprise historical datarelated to the resources associated with the transport system, forexample. Yet further, the measurement system may operable to compute:(1) an indication of the difference between an amount of resourcescurrently being used by the transport system based on the current dataand the amount of resources previously used by the transport system (ora reference system) based on the historical data; (2); an indication ofthe difference between device lifetimes of components that are a part ofthe transport system based on the current data and previous lifetimes ofcomponents used in the transport system (or a reference system) based onthe historical data; and (3) an indication of the difference between anamount of resources currently being used by the system based on thecurrent data and a threshold amount of resources (e.g., a target orbudgeted amount of resources).

Once a computed difference is completed a user may be able to determinea savings in resources, return on investment and/or extended componentlifetimes, for example. Such computed differences may also be stored ina database or another memory for future use by the measurement system orother systems.

In addition to users and their agents, it may be desirable to grantadditional entities access to the collected data or computeddifferences. For example, the construction and/or installation of a newtransport system that incorporates an inventive device or systemdescribed herein, or the retrofit/modification of an existing transportsystem to include an inventive device or system described herein can beextremely expensive. Accordingly, an investment entity or individual mayassist a user in financing the construction or installation of a newtransport system that incorporates an inventive device or systemdescribed herein, or the retrofit/modification of an existing transportsystem to include an inventive device or system described herein.

One method of financing such a construction, installation, retrofit ormodification includes a re-payment process that is based on thecollected data or computed differences. More particularly, in additionalembodiments a repayment system may be operable to receive collected dataor computed differences representative of one or more resources thatare, or may be, affected by the treatment of unwanted material in aliquid using an inventive system or device described herein, such as animmersible, dual-field probe. Again, for the sake of efficiency thefeatures of such a probe will not be repeated, it being understood thatthe features previously described may be incorporated into such adual-field probe.

The repayment system may include a controller or computer system that isoperable to receive data and computed differences related to theoperation of the transport system. The repayment system may be operatedby the entity that financed the construction, installation, retrofit ormodification of the water transport system or an agent of such anentity.

Upon receiving collected data or computed differences the repaymentsystem may be further operable to compute a repayment amount. In oneembodiment, the repayment amount may be computed by applying apercentage factor to an amount of a computed difference. In embodimentsof the invention, the percentage factor may be the same for allresources, or may differ based on the resource that is associated with acomputed difference. Alternatively, the repayment amount may be computedby applying a monetary amount to each unit or part thereof of a computeddifference and then applying a percentage factor (e.g., 0 to 100%).Still further, the repayment factor may be computed by using a differentmethod that applies a multiplication factor, and/or a percentage factorin another combination of steps.

Once a repayment amount is computed the entity that has financed theconstruction, installation, retrofit or modification may be able todistribute the repayment amounts to one or more investment entities orapply the amounts to one or more financial instruments. Such computedrepayment amounts may also be stored in a database or another memory forfuture use by the repayment system or other systems.

In embodiments of the invention, one or both of the computed differencesand repayment amounts may be proportional to the amount of unwantedmaterial in a liquid that is treated by an inventive probe describedherein, such as a dual-field probe, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 6 there is depicted a susceptibility probe 900 isoperable to detect and determine the type of trace elements or mineralsin a liquid, such as water that form unwanted material (such as scale)in order to determine the appropriated ionic cyclic frequency. Becausescale forming trace elements (ions) have different charges and masses,selecting the appropriate ionic cyclotron frequency value for aparticular trace element or mineral.

Minerals may be categorized as magnetic if they cause magnetic inductionin the presence of a magnetic field. In embodiments of the invention,probe 900 makes use of this phenomena to detect and determine the typesof trace elements and minerals in a liquid. Mineral magnetism (M) isrelated to the applied field strength (H) by the equation M=χH; where χis the magnetic susceptibility of the material. It is a dimensionlessquantity which expresses the efficiency with which trace elements may bemagnetized.

All mineral substances exhibit magnetic susceptibility at temperaturesabove absolute zero. Accordingly, probe 900 is operable to detectdifferent types of scales based on magnetic susceptibility. Theprincipal types of interaction of a substance with a magnetic field areclassified into five major divisions: diamagnetism, para-magnetism,ferro-magnetism, ferri-magnetism and anti-ferromagnetism. The probe 900uses the aforementioned magnetic phenomenon to determine the types ofscale formation deposits, which comes in several forms.

For example, inorganic scale deposits are mostly from aqueoussupersaturated type solutions, with cooling tower make-up water beingone such type. In the petroleum industry, scale can be mineral,chemical, or organic type (as in the case of crude oil compounds) formedas a result of fluid-fluid (and fluid-substrate) interactions leadinggenerally to their super-saturation. The two most common types of Cascale found in hydrocarbon fields are calcium carbonate (CaCO3) andcalcium sulphate (CaSO4).

Most inorganic scales can be classified by the anion type in one of thefollowing seven classes:

The carbonate scales—formed by cations and bicarbonate (HCO3-) ionprecipitation in fluids, and include CaCO3 and FeCO3.

The sulphate scales—formed as a result of precipitation of cations andsulphate ions (SO42-), which includes BaSO4, SrSO4, and CaSO4.

The sulphide scales—formed by cations and sulphide (S2-) ionprecipitation, for example FeS, FeS2, PbS, and ZnS.

The chloride scales—formed mainly by brine evaporation and sodium (Na)and chloride (Cl) ion precipitation, yielding NaCl.

The fluoride scales—caused by reaction of cations and fluoride (F—)ions, including CaF2 and FeF2.

The aluminum-silicon group of scales—formed by reaction ofcation-silicon or aluminum-silicon elements.

Native scales—formed exclusively by native cations or cation covalentbonds, including Pb, SiO2.

Magnetic susceptibility is the ratio of the intensity of magnetizationto the applied magnetic field strength. The magnetic susceptibilitymathematically equals:

$\chi = \frac{M}{H}$

where (M) is the magnetization of the material (magnetic dipole momentper unit volume), and (H) is the magnetic field strength measured inamperes per meter. The volume susceptibility is given as:

$\chi_{v} = \frac{M}{H}$

where X_(v) is the volume susceptibility and M is the magnetization perunit volume. The molar susceptibility is the third type ofsusceptibility and is defined as:

$\chi_{mol} = \frac{M\; \chi_{v}}{\rho}$

where ρ is density.

Magnetic susceptibility is dimensionless while M and H are in amperesper meter (A/m). A linear relationship exists between magnetization andmagnetic field strength, as a result, a linear relationship also existsbetween magnetic induction (B) and field strength (H) as shown below:

B=μH

where μ is the magnetic permeability. The magnetic permeability (μ) canbe expressed mathematically as:

μ/μ_(o)=1+χ

Where μ_(o) is magnetic permeability of air. Magnetic induction (B) ismeasured in Tesla (T) and its dimension in SI units is Newton perampere-meter (N/Am). There are two other expressions used to demonstratethe relationship between B, J and H as follows:

B=μ _(o)(J+H)

B=μ _(o)(1+χ)H

[7] Generally, materials are paramagnetic, diamagnetic or ferromagnetic(ferro- and ferrimagnetic). Materials with positive susceptibility (χ)where (1+χ)>1 are called paramagnetic materials. This means the appliedmagnetic field is strengthened by the presence of the material.Molecularly speaking, it is the nature of the electrons in the materialthat determines the magnetic properties of the material. Since freeelectrons add to magnetic forces, a material becomes paramagnetic whenthe number of free unpaired electrons is high. In instances wheresusceptibility (χ) is negative, that is where (1+χ)<1, the material issaid to be diamagnetic. When such is the case, the magnetic field isweakened by the presence of the diamagnetic material. Molecularly, thematerial lacks free unpaired electrons.

The measurement of magnetic susceptibility is achieved by quantifyingthe change of force felt upon the application of a magnetic field to asubstance, in this case, trace elements. For trace elements in aqueoussamples, the magnetic susceptibility is measured from the dependence ofthe natural magnetic resonance (NMR) frequency of the trace element onits shape and or orientation.

Accordingly, probe 900 may be operable to apply a uniform alternatingfield produced by a transmitting coil 901 carrying an alternatingcurrent. A pickup coil consisting of an inner winding, 902 is placed atthe center of the transmitting coil. Known trace elements specimens areplaced at the center of the pickup coil for calibration purposes usingdistilled as the aqueous medium. The trace elements cause an inducedvoltage output because of its closer coupling with the pick-up coil. Byusing a low-noise, high-gain amplifier 904, the pickup coil inducedvoltage is amplified and digitized by the micro-controller. The magneticsusceptibility values for each trace element are stored in themicrocontroller's memory look-up table.

The probe 900 may be installed in a cooling tower makeup water path oran oil field well. The transmitting coil of probe 900 may be energized,and the pickup coil's induced voltages may be detected and then comparedto stored look-up table trace element values by a microcontroller. Byconstantly measuring the pick-up coil induce voltage and comparing itwith known trace elements look-up table induced voltages the probe 900may be operable to determine the type of trace elements or minerals in aliquid, such as in a cooling tower's make-up water or oil field well.Once trace elements or minerals are determined by a combination of probe900 and the microcontroller, this information may be used by themicrocontroller in order to adjust the operating frequency andmodulation frequency of a generator in order to optimize the treatmentof the trace element or mineral (i.e., unwanted material) in a liquid(e.g., insure the modulation frequency corresponds to the ioniccyclotron frequency of the determined trace element of mineral). Themicrocontroller and generator (as well as other microcontrollers andgenerators described herein) may be connected via a communication bus.

It should be apparent that the foregoing describes only selectedembodiments of the invention. Numerous changes and modifications may bemade to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from thegeneral spirit and scope of the invention. For example, though water hasbeen the liquid utilized in the description herein, other suitableliquids may be used such as those used in the heating and/or coolingsystems of buildings or those transported in the petrochemical industry.That is, the inventive devices, systems and methods described herein maybe used to partially or substantially treat these other liquids as well.Further, though the inventive devices and systems described herein aredescribed as being used in non-living systems (e.g., an industrial watertransport system) the scope of the present invention is not so limited.In additional embodiments the devices and systems described herein maybe modified for use in treating unwanted material in the humanbloodstream, for example. In more detail, inventive probes may beminiaturized for insertion into the human bloodstream, related organs,or circulatory system (collectively: circulatory system”) or digestivesystem, using a cather, scope, surgical tool or other types of insertiondevices. Structurally, the inventive probes may be formed as a stent oras a part of a stent to name just one example of an exemplary structure.Operationally, the inventive probes and associated generators may bemodified to operate at frequencies that are not unduly harmful to thehuman body, yet include modulation frequencies that correspond to theionic cyclotron frequencies of targeted, unwanted material in thecirculatory or digestive system such as salts, fats, sugars, or cancercausing cells, for example,

What is claimed is:
 1. A measurement system comprising: a control systemoperable to receive data representative of one or more resources of atransport system or reference system affected by treatment of unwantedmaterial in a liquid; and a dual-field probe for treating the unwantedmaterial comprising an immersible magnetic field section operable togenerate a time-varying magnetic field and an induced electric field,and an immersible electric field section operable to generate atime-varying electric field, and an induced magnetic field.
 2. Thesystem as in claim 1 wherein the one or more resources comprise waterusage, energy, power, amount of de-scaling chemicals, device lifetimes,data analytics or system depreciation.
 3. The system as in claim 1wherein the control system comprises a microcontroller.
 4. The system asin claim 1 wherein the control system is further operable to compare thereceived data to stored, reference data.
 5. The system as in claim 4wherein the stored reference data comprises historical data related toresources associated with the transport or reference system.
 6. Thesystem as in claim 1 wherein the control system is further operable tocompute an indication of the difference between an amount of resourcescurrently being used by the transport or reference system based on thereceived data and the amount of resources previously used by thetransport or reference system based on the historical data.
 7. Thesystem as in claim 1 wherein the control system is further operable tocompute an indication of the difference between device lifetimes ofcomponents that are a part of the transport or reference system based onthe received data and previous lifetimes of components used in thetransport or reference system based on the historical data.
 8. Thesystem as in claim 1 wherein the control system is further operable tocompute an indication of the difference between an amount of resourcescurrently being used by the transport or reference system based on thereceived data and a threshold amount of resources.
 9. The system as inclaim 8 wherein the control system is further operable to compute asavings in resources, return on investment or extended lifetimes. 10.The system as in claim 9 wherein the control system is further operableto store the computed savings in a memory.
 11. The system as in claim 8wherein the control system is further operable to compute a repaymentamount.
 12. The system as in claim 11 wherein the control system isfurther operable to compute the repayment amount by applying apercentage factor to the computed difference.
 13. The system as in claim11 wherein the control system is further operable to compute therepayment amount by applying a monetary amount to each unit or partthereof of a computed difference and then applying a percentage factoror a multiplication factor.
 14. The system as in claim 8 wherein thecomputed difference is proportional to the amount of treated unwantedmaterial in a liquid that is treated by a dual-field probe.
 15. Thesystem as in claim 1 further comprising: impedance matching circuitryoperable to, maintain an impedance of the probe, a signal generator anda transmission medium connecting the probe and generator at a matchedimpedance, and maintain a constant amplitude of an electric fieldcreated by an electric field section of the probe and a constantamplitude of a magnetic field created by a magnetic field section of theprobe.
 16. The system as in claim 1 wherein the unwanted material is oneor more ions of calcium carbonate, a corrosive material or biofilm. 17.The system as in claim 1 further comprising a signal generator operableto output an oscillating or uniform time-varying signal modulated at anionic cyclotron frequency.
 18. The system as in claim 17 wherein thesignal generator comprises an integrated signal generator and is furtheroperable to generate or adjust a carrier frequency, percentage ofmodulation, modulation frequency, modulation waveform, output gain oroffset levels of the time-varying signal.
 19. The system as in claim 1further comprising a graphical user interface for displaying acombination of a fouling resistance, conductivity, power consumption,turbidity, corrosion, pH, alkalinity, and temperatures of the liquid andpump speeds, fan speeds, flow rates, biofouling, saturation index, orhold/cold temperature differentials of components of the transportsystem used to treat the liquid.
 20. A measurement system comprising: acontrol system operable to receive data representative of one or moreresources of a transport system or reference system affected bytreatment of unwanted material in a liquid, and compute an indication ofthe difference between an amount of resources currently being used bythe transport system or the reference system based and the amount ofresources; and at least two immersible axial coils and at least twoimmersible radial coils configured in a Helmholtz coil arrangement andoperable to generate and apply a magnetic field that includes amodulation signal corresponding to an ionic cyclotron frequency of theunwanted material to treat the unwanted material in the liquid.